Rocket Lab to Build Viasat GEO Satellite Bus for Space Force

Viasat Inc. (VSAT) has selected Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB) to manufacture the spacecraft bus for a new geosynchronous Earth orbit satellite, advancing the U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global program. The Partnerships, announced on August 17, 2026, pairs Viasat’s anti-jam communications payload with Rocket Lab’s spacecraft platform to provide resilient connectivity for military operations in contested environments.

According to a joint press release, the collaboration stems from a prime contract awarded to Viasat on May 22, 2026, by the U.S. Space-Agencies (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC). Under the Swarm 1 contract, Viasat is tasked with delivering one of the first small, maneuverable satellites for the Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) constellation. The prime contract includes a five-year mandate for operations, cybersecurity, and sustainment services.

Spacecraft design and payload integration

Rocket Lab will utilize its Lightning spacecraft platform, specifically configured for the geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) environment, to host Viasat’s dual-band X/Ka-band payload. The integration and Manufacturing processes will take place across the companies’ respective facilities in Carlsbad and Long Beach, California.

The PTS-G program is designed to provide secure, jam-resistant communications for U.S. and allied forces. Craig Miller, President of Viasat Government, emphasized the operational focus of the joint effort.

“This production award represents an important step forward in delivering the next generation of protected satellite communications capabilities for the U.S. Space Force. 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.”

Expanding national security space footprint

The PTS-G subcontract marks another milestone in Rocket Lab’s rapid expansion into the defense and national security sector. Sir Peter Beck, Founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, stated that moving from design into production highlights the company’s growing role in national security space, adding that the vertically integrated spacecraft will help deliver infrastructure that keeps forces connected in contested environments.

The Viasat partnership follows two other major defense Contracts awarded to Rocket Lab during the same week. On August 17, 2026, the company was onboarded to the Space Force’s $981 million NITE-STAR program to develop space test and training infrastructure. The following day, on August 18, 2026, the Space Force selected Rocket Lab for the Space Data Network Consortium, backed by $12 million in contracts to support the Global Military Communications Network.

AirPro News analysis

We view Rocket Lab’s selection for the PTS-G bus as a strong indicator of the U.S. Space Force’s shifting procurement Strategy. By moving away from massive, multi-billion-dollar legacy satellites toward smaller, maneuverable, and distributed architectures, the military is prioritizing resilience against orbital threats. Rocket Lab’s ability to secure the PTS-G bus contract, alongside the NITE-STAR and Space Data Network Consortium awards, demonstrates that the company is successfully transitioning from a dedicated small-launch provider to an end-to-end prime contractor capable of competing for critical national security space infrastructure.

Sources: Rocket Lab Corporation