ViaSat Successfully Live Streamed Solar Data for NASA During the August 21 Solar Eclipse

Using ViaSat's High-Speed Satellite Broadband Network, NASA and Its Partners Accessed Real-time, High-Definition (HD) Video and Unique Imaging Data for Immediate Research Use

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ViaSat, Inc.

Aug 24, 2017, 17:03 ET

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its relationship with NASA, ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT), a global broadband services and technology company, today announced it supplied NASA and its partners, with high-quality airborne satellite broadband communications (satcom) for research purposes during the August 21 Great American solar eclipse.

Using its satellite broadband network coupled with its airborne satcom terminals mounted onto two of NASA's WB-57 high altitude research aircraft, ViaSat enabled a successful HD video live stream of unique high-resolution images of the Sun's corona, its outer atmosphere, during totality of Monday's total solar eclipse, and provided two-way communication between the planes and controllers on the ground. This link was critical in helping the team complete this historic mission, and the live stream was included in NASA's nationwide broadcast of the total eclipse. The ViaSat data link was also instrumental in acquiring rare infrared observations of Mercury that will be used to attempt the first-ever "thermal images" of its night-side surface, which was visible to these high altitude aircraft during the eclipse window.

"We have maintained a partnership with NASA – supplying advanced satellite-based broadband communications – for many years," said Ken Peterman, president, Government Systems, ViaSat. "We are proud to have supported NASA and its partners during their solar eclipse research endeavors, delivering a high-speed, high-performance satellite system backbone to satisfy their immediate research needs."

ViaSat's broadband network is a proven, reliable, satellite-based network in operation for more than a decade. It offers a combination of Ka-band and Ku-band connectivity, and gives thousands of government aircraft, heads of state, commercial aircraft, business jets, maritime vessels, residential subscribers and enterprise users enhanced connectivity and coverage. Users benefit from ViaSat's continuous investment in network coverage, security, operations and broadband data capacity density.

About ViaSat

ViaSat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) keeps the world connected. As a global broadband services and technology company, ViaSat ensures consumers, businesses, governments and military personnel have communications access – anywhere – whether on the ground or in-flight. The Company's innovations in designing highest-capacity satellites and secure ground infrastructure and terminal technologies, coupled with its international network of managed Wi-Fi hotspots, enable ViaSat to deliver a best available network that extends the reach and accessibility of broadband internet service, globally. For more information, visit: www.viasat.com, or follow ViaSat on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward looking statements include among others, statements that refer to the speed, quality, performance and reliability of ViaSat's service used by NASA on their WB-57 aircraft. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: contractual problems, product defects, manufacturing issues or delays, regulatory issues, technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations, and increased competition and other factors affecting the communications sector generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in ViaSat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including ViaSat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. ViaSat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

SOURCE ViaSat, Inc.