Viasat Taps Rocket Lab for U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global Program
Event summary
- Viasat selected Rocket Lab to build a satellite bus for the U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program under a contract awarded on May 22, 2026.
- The initial production award, known as Swarm 1, includes manufacturing, integration, test, launch, and on-orbit checkout of a mini-GEO satellite system.
- Rocket Lab will deliver a GEO configuration of its Lightning spacecraft platform to host Viasat's dual-band X/Ka-band payload.
- Viasat’s award includes five years of operations and sustainment services for the satellite, including TT&C, satellite and network operations, and cybersecurity requirements.
The big picture
This collaboration between Viasat and Rocket Lab underscores the U.S. Space Force’s push toward more resilient and scalable satellite communications architecture. The program aims to deliver global, resilient, and scalable satellite communications to warfighters by leveraging commercial designs and technology. This shift towards commercial solutions reflects a broader trend in the defense industry to adopt more agile and cost-effective approaches to national security space.
What we're watching
- Execution Risk
- Whether Viasat and Rocket Lab can deliver the satellite on time and within budget, given the complexity of the project.
- Market Dynamics
- How the U.S. Space Force’s strategy of leveraging commercial designs and technology will impact the broader defense contracting landscape.
- Technological Advancements
- The pace at which Viasat and Rocket Lab can advance the anti-jam capabilities of the mini-GEO satellite architecture.