Viasat, a global contributor in satellite communications, has announced that it selected Rocket Lab Corporation, a launch and space systems company, to build a satellite bus for the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) under the Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program.
On May 22, 2026, Viasat was awarded a prime contract to deliver one of the first small, maneuverable geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites for the PTS-G constellation. The initial production award, known as Swarm 1, includes manufacturing, integration and test, launch and on-orbit checkout of the mini-GEO satellite system.
Rocket Lab will deliver a GEO configuration of its high-performance Lightning spacecraft platform to host Viasat’s dual-band X/Ka-band payload.
PTS-G is a key part of USSF’s strategy to deliver global, resilient and scalable satellite communications to warfighters by using commercial designs and technology to support smaller, faster-to-produce satellites with enhanced anti-jam capabilities. Viasat’s government space team within its Defence and Advanced Technologies segment will lead this work to advance the PTS-G initial operating capability.
Rocket Lab will deliver a GEO configuration of its high-performance Lightning spacecraft platform to host Viasat’s dual-band X/Ka-band payload. Lightning-GEO features a high-power architecture built with Rocket Lab’s own vertically integrated components and subsystems, including tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) radios, solar power, star trackers, reaction wheels, flight and ground software, and more.
The combination of Rocket Lab’s high reliability Lightning platform and Viasat’s mini-GEO satellite architecture and high-performance payload will provide secure communications for the warfighter. This mini-GEO satellite will provide a next-generation, anti-jam, resilient communications capability designed to ensure secure connectivity for U.S. and allied forces operating in contested environments around the world.
Viasat will provide its technical and operational expertise designing and delivering high-performance dual-use satellite solutions, as well as a deep understanding of USSF and U.S. Department of War mission requirements. Rocket Lab’s GEO configuration also uses commercial solutions, further supporting the Space Force’s push toward more resilient architecture based on scaled commercial capability.
“This production award represents an important step forward in delivering the next generation of protected satellite communications capabilities for the U.S. Space Force,” said Craig Miller, the president of the Viasat Government. “By combining Viasat’s cutting-edge communications payload technology with Rocket Lab’s proven spacecraft platform, we are advancing a more agile and resilient GEO architecture designed to support mission-critical communications hot spots in contested environments. We are excited to showcase how low cost, high performance dual-use technology can provide reliable connectivity for evolving missions in an increasingly contested tactical communications environment.”
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck, said: “Moving from design into production marks an important milestone for this program and for Rocket Lab’s growing role in national security space. By pairing our vertically integrated spacecraft with Viasat’s protected communications payload, we’re delivering resilient, space-based communications infrastructure that keeps our forces connected and secure in contested environments.”
Viasat’s award is one of two delivery orders issued under a competitive Fair Opportunity acquisition, reflecting the Space Force’s strategy of building a diversified, resilient PTS-G architecture. In addition to delivering the spacecraft and payload, the Viasat PTS-G award also includes five years of operations and sustainment services for the satellite, including TT&C, satellite and network operations and cybersecurity requirements.
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