CARLSBAD, Calif., May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT) has received a contract with a value in the range of $40 million to provide Ka-band transmit-receive (T/R) modules to Thales Alenia Space for the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation. Thales Alenia is building the next set of 66 Iridium low-Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. Thales Alenia plans to integrate the T/R modules to build cross links between satellites and feeder links to earth terminals to facilitate point-to-point routing of data over the network. Iridium NEXT, the second-generation Iridium satellite constellation, is expected to extend the world's furthest reaching mobile voice and data communications network to 2030 and beyond.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091216/VIASATLOGO)

"Our ability to design microwave electronics for the rigorous space environment, and the knowledge we've gained in delivering over one million terrestrial Ka-band T/R modules, makes this program a natural fit for us," said Ken Crawford, VP and general manager for advanced microwave products at ViaSat. "We look forward to working with Thales Alenia to help build this global communications network."

Iridium NEXT is scheduled to begin launching in 2015. The new network will maintain the Iridium constellation architecture of 66 cross-linked LEO satellites covering 100 percent of the globe. Iridium NEXT satellites are designed to meet the rapidly expanding demand for global communications connections that matter. By supporting enhanced and new services for Iridium customers across diversifying and new markets, Iridium NEXT will advance the business of communications in areas such as:

• Enterprise global voice and data,
• Asset tracking and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications,
• New data-centric applications,
• New opportunities requiring additional power.

About ViaSat (www.viasat.com)

ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other digital communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to virtually any location. The company provides networking products and managed network services for enterprise IP applications; is a key supplier of network-centric military communications and encryption technologies and products to the U.S. and allied governments; is the primary technology partner for gateway and customer-premises equipment for consumer and mobile satellite broadband services; and owns WildBlue, the premier Ka-band satellite broadband service provider. ViaSat also offers design capabilities and a number of complementary products including monolithic microwave integrated circuits and modules, DVB-S2 satellite communication components, video data link systems, data acceleration and compression, and mobile satellite antenna systems. Based in Carlsbad, California, ViaSat has established a number of worldwide locations for customer service, network operations, and technology development.

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. ViaSat wishes to caution you that there are some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to: 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 defense industry 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.