Rocket Lab Selected by Viasat to Build Maneuverable Anti-Jam Satellite for USSF

Viasat has selected Rocket Lab to build a satellite for the U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program.

Viasat was awarded a prime contract in May to deliver one of the first small, maneuverable geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites for the program, with the initial Swarm 1 award covering manufacturing, integration, testing, launch, and on-orbit checkout.

Rocket Lab will provide a GEO configuration of its Lightning spacecraft platform to host Viasat’s dual-band X/Ka-band communications payload. The platform uses vertically integrated components including power systems, radios, star trackers, reaction wheels, and flight and ground software. The resulting satellite is designed to provide secure, anti-jam communications for U.S. and allied forces operating in contested environments.

PTS-G is part of the Space Force’s effort to develop resilient and scalable satellite communications using smaller commercial-derived spacecraft.

Viasat’s award is one of two delivery orders issued through a competitive acquisition, supporting the program’s goal of establishing a diversified satellite architecture.

The contract also includes five years of operations and sustainment services.

Craig Miller, President of Viasat Government, said the partnership combines Viasat’s communications payload technology with Rocket Lab’s spacecraft platform to support a more agile GEO architecture.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said the move into production represents a milestone for the company’s growing national security space business.

Image credits: Rocket Lab