Viasat Selects Rocket Lab to Build GEO Satellite for U.S. Space Force PTS-G

Viasat Inc. selected Rocket Lab Corporation to build a satellite bus for the U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global program under a production delivery order. The effort centers on delivering a protected, maneuverable mini-GEO satellite system for the PTS-G initial operating capability.

The work followed a May 22, 2026 prime contract award that Viasat received to deliver one of the first small, maneuverable geosynchronous Earth orbit satellites for the PTS-G constellation. The program description in the release links PTS-G to providing global, resilient, and scalable satellite communications by using commercial designs and technology with anti-jam capabilities, and Viasat’s government space team was set to lead the effort.

Rocket Lab will provide a GEO configuration of its Lightning spacecraft platform to host Viasat’s dual-band X/Ka-band payload. The Lightning-GEO configuration is described as using a high-power architecture with vertically integrated components and subsystems, including tracking and command (TT&C) radios, solar power, star trackers, reaction wheels, and flight and ground software.

Viasat’s Swarm 1 production award, described as one of two delivery orders issued under a competitive Fair Opportunity acquisition, included manufacturing, integration and test, launch, and on-orbit checkout of the mini-GEO satellite system, plus five years of operations and sustainment services. The release said sustainment would cover TT&C, satellite and network operations, and cybersecurity requirements. “This production award represents an important step forward in delivering the next generation of protected satellite communications capabilities for the U.S. Space Force,” Craig Miller, President, Viasat Government, said. “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 Sir 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.”

Press release, provided by Globe Newswire on behalf of Viasat. Read the original.