THE first satellite to be launched using an Isle of Man licensed orbital filing successfully went into geostationary orbit over the equator in October.

The launch of ViaSat-1 was a major milestone for the Isle of Man's space industry and ViaSat Isle of Man Limited, Telesat (IOM) Limited, ManSat Limited, and the Isle of Man Government.

The ViaSat-1 satellite operates in geostationary orbit from an Isle of Man registered position at 115 degrees west over the equator.

The satellite is the highest capacity satellite in the world and is designed to transform the economics and quality of service for satellite broadband.

The high-capacity Ka-band spot beam satellite covers North America, enabling a variety of new satellite internet access services beginning with WildBlue in the U.S. and Xplornet in Canada, working via ViaSat's Isle of Man subsidiary and Telesat (IOM) Limited.

Mark Dankberg, the chief executive officer of ViaSat, said: "ViaSat-1 is designed to transform the economics and quality of service that satellite broadband can provide."

Dan Goldbery, Telesat's president and chief executive officer, said: "ViaSat-1 is a next generation, high throughput satellite that will provide fast and affordable broadband service to all Canadians."

Chris Stott, chairman and chief executive officer of ManSat, added: "This is a great day for our clients ViaSat and Telesat and our partners in the Isle of Man Government. We are proud to support them in their work."

Alex Downie MLC, political member for the Isle of Man Department of Economic Development with responsibility for space, added: "Our congratulations to ViaSat, Telesat and to ManSat. We are proud to play our part with the Isle of Man supporting such a ground breaking project."

This story is part of isleofman.com's Review of the Year 2011.