Carlsbad, CA - ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT) reports record sales for its first quarter of fiscal year 2002, ended June 30, 2001. Sales for the quarter were $48.8 million compared to $36.6 million in sales for the comparable quarter last year, a 33.3% increase.

Pro forma net income, which excludes the effects of acquisition charges (goodwill amortization and a charge for in-process research and development), was $3.4 million or $0.15 per share for the first quarter of fiscal year 2002 based on 23.0 million weighted average shares. This is a 10% decrease over net income of $3.8 million or $0.18 per share for the prior year based on 21.2 million weighted average shares.

Net income, including the effects of acquisition charges, was $2.7 million or $0.12 per share for the first quarter of fiscal year 2002. This is a 38% increase over income of $2.0 million or $0.09 per share for the prior year.

At the close of the first quarter, ViaSat�s backlog of firm orders was $230 million (or $315 million including options and IDIQ contracts) compared to $165 million (or $219 million including options and IDIQ contracts) at the close of the first quarter last year.

"We are very pleased with ViaSat�s performance to date this year in a very challenging telecommunications market climate," said Mark Dankberg, chairman, president and CEO. "Our sales so far for the year are a little ahead of plan and earnings are consistent with our objectives. We believe our portfolio of government and commercial products and development programs gives us both a comparatively stable near term foundation and a basis for attractive growth opportunities when new products and systems reach their markets. In the near term we remain focused on 3 key areas critical to continuing performance:

• Timely execution of new product introductions including MIDS data link radios, ArcLight� and LinkStar� interactive VSATs, Connexion broadband satellite terminals, Astrolink enterprise Ka-band network systems, and WildBlue consumer/SOHO Ka-band network systems,
   
• Consolidating and leveraging our substantial base of funded R&D in defense data networking and broadband satellite technology to continue to win new system development opportunities,
   
• Management and financial controls to most efficiently integrate and strategically position our Carlsbad, Atlanta and new Clarksburg, MD organizations."

First Quarter Business Highlights

Some specific highlights from our first quarter follow:

• ViaSat has closed its recently announced acquisition of the satellite network terminals products group from COMSAT Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications company. This organization, located in Clarksburg, MD, now operates as the Comsat Laboratories division of ViaSat. The new business includes a family of sophisticated satellite data networking products sold under the LINKWAY� and LinkStar brand names, as well as a set of attractive customer relationships and a highly-skilled and experienced work-force.
   
• ViaSat was selected by WildBlue Communications, Inc. to build the satellite modem termination systems (SMTS) for their broadband satellite network. Valued at approximately $17 million, this contract covers development and production of satellite modem termination systems to support initial service launch at all six gateway earth stations for WildBlue, and complements a previously awarded $16 million contract for ViaSat to develop and produce WildBlue�s end-user satellite modems. �We�re pleased with our progress in winning broadband ground segment development contracts, strengthening our position as a market leader in Ka-band satellite systems,� said Steve Cable, vice president and general manager of Broadband Systems.
   
• ViaSat successfully completed deliveries under a number of important contracts including Skylinx� telephony VSATs for remote telephony in the Australian outback, two 11 meter antenna systems for PanAmSat teleports in Homestead, FL and Filmore, CA, and the IHAT signal simulation system for Lockheed Martin.
   
• ViaSat was recognized by Fortune Small Business magazine in its inaugural listing of the FSB 100, a list of today�s fastest growing publicly held small businesses.

ViaSat produces advanced digital satellite telecommunications and wireless signal processing equipment for commercial and government markets. ViaSat has a full line of VSAT products for data and voice applications. ViaSat is a market leader in Ka-band satellite systems, from user terminals to large gateways for both geosynchronous and low earth orbit systems. Other products include network security devices, tactical data radios, and communication simulators. ViaSat has locations in Carlsbad, CA, and Norcross, GA, along with its Comsat Laboratories division in Clarksburg, MD. Additional field offices are located in Boston, MA, the United Kingdom, Australia, Chile, China, and India.

Safe Harbor Statement

Portions of this release, particularly the �First Quarter Business Highlights� section, may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. ViaSat wishes to caution you that there are some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to: changes in product supply, pricing, and customer demand; competition; other vagaries in the communication markets; changes in relationships with key suppliers; technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; and increased competition and other factors affecting the telecommunications industry generally. ViaSat refers you to the documents it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the section titled Risk Factors in ViaSat�s Form 10-K. These documents contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.

Comsat Labs and Comsat Laboratories are tradenames of ViaSat, Inc. Neither Comsat Labs nor Comsat Laboratories is affiliated with COMSAT Corporation.

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