Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ:VSAT) has chosen Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB) to provide the satellite bus for a spacecraft being developed under the U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) programme.
The agreement, announced on August 17, 2026, will see Rocket Lab support Viasat’s work on the first PTS-G production award, known as Swarm 1, which is focused on deploying a small and manoeuvrable satellite in geosynchronous Earth orbit.
Viasat leads PTS-G Swarm 1 contract
Viasat secured the prime contract for Swarm 1 on May 22, 2026. The award covers the manufacture, integration and testing of the satellite system, as well as launch and on-orbit checkout.
The contract also includes five years of operational and sustainment support. These services will encompass tracking, telemetry and command functions, network operations and cybersecurity.
The programme is intended to strengthen protected military satellite communications by providing a more flexible architecture capable of operating in challenging and contested environments.
Rocket Lab to supply Lightning-GEO platform
Rocket Lab will provide a geosynchronous configuration of its Lightning spacecraft platform, known as Lightning-GEO, which will carry Viasat’s dual-band X/Ka-band communications payload.
The spacecraft incorporates several technologies developed by Rocket Lab itself, including power systems, star trackers, reaction wheels and both flight and ground software.
Using an integrated spacecraft platform is expected to support the programme’s objective of fielding smaller and more responsive GEO communications assets.
Space Force pursues diversified satellite architecture
Viasat’s contract represents one of two delivery orders awarded through a competitive acquisition process for PTS-G.
The approach reflects the U.S. Space Force’s strategy of developing a more diversified satellite architecture rather than relying on a limited number of traditional communications spacecraft.
Craig Miller, President of Viasat Government, said the partnership advances “a more agile and resilient GEO architecture designed to support mission-critical communications hot spots in contested environments.”
Rocket Lab Founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said the award represents “an important milestone for this program and for Rocket Lab’s growing role in national security space.”
Viasat government space team to lead programme
Viasat’s government space team, which operates within the company’s Defense and Advanced Technologies segment, will lead the work.
The selection gives Rocket Lab another role in the national security space market while allowing Viasat to combine its protected communications technology with Rocket Lab’s spacecraft manufacturing capabilities for the PTS-G programme.