VIASAT Selects Rocket Lab to Develop Geosatellite

In August 2026, Viasat Inc. selected Rocket Lab Corporation to develop a satellite bus for the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) under the Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program. In May 2026, Viasat secured a prime contract to develop one of the first small, maneuverable geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites for the PTS-G constellation.

This production award is known as Swarm 1, whose development included various stages, including testing, integration, production, launch, and on-orbit checkout of the geosatellite platform. PTS-G is a vital component of the USSF's goal to develop resilient and scalable satellite connectivity for warfighters. It makes use of advanced designs and technologies to support small, easy-to-develop satellites with advanced anti-jam mechanisms.

The government space team of Viasat in its Defense and Advanced Technologies segment is intended to lead the task of enhancing the initial operating capability of PTS-G. Rocket Lab will develop a GEO framework of its high-performance Lightning spacecraft platform to support the dual-band X/Ka-band payload of Viasat. Lightning-GEO has an advanced architecture that has been developed using vertically integrated components and subsystems of Rocket Lab. It includes tracking, telemetry, and command (TT&C) radios, solar power, star trackers, reaction wheels, and flight and ground software.

This joint venture brings together the excellent reliability of Rocket Lab's Lightning platform and mini-GEO satellite framework and the high-performance payload of Viasat to enable safe connectivity for warfighters. This mini-GEO satellite will enable anti-jam, resilient communication for the U.S. and its allies operating in conflict zones across the world. According to Craig Miller, President of Viasat Government, this production award is an important milestone in the development of a secure satellite communication system for the U.S. Space Force.

Impact on the Information and Communication Technology Market

According to Precedence Research, the partnership between Viasat and Rocket Lab is expected to positively impact the information and communication technology market. This is due to the fact that they are developing a secure satellite communication system for the U.S. Space Force, which means that it would involve extensive research and fine-tuning. There would be significant budget allocation and skilled workforce involvement. Such partnerships result in significant advancement of communication technologies, as there is involvement of prominent government organizations.

Impact on the Satellite Market

The global satellite market size was estimated at USD 362.28 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 391.99 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 780.24 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 7.97% from 2026 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, the partnership between Viasat and Rocket Lab to build geosatellites for the U.S. Space Force is expected to benefit the satellite market. This initiative will result in increased adoption of satellite communication in the defense sector. Governments are willing to pay a premium price to get secure and reliable communication systems that are resilient to electronic warfare. Such contracts drive innovation, as public organizations need next-generation communication solutions that help them achieve their military objectives.

Impact on the Military Satellite Market

The global military satellite market size is calculated at USD 17.30 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 18.50 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 33.64 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 6.88% from 2026 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, the partnership between Viasat and Rocket Lab is expected to positively impact the military satellite market. This is because the joint venture will develop next-generation secure communication satellites, which will boost the usage of satellites for defense communication purposes. Such solutions are experiencing increased demand due to recent geopolitical tensions across the world. Many governments are bolstering their defenses to ensure national security.

About VIASAT

VIASAT is a prominent technology company that provides advanced connectivity solutions. The company has 90 offices across the world and a global satellite constellation to develop resilient and secure connectivity to the locations and tasks where it is needed. VIASAT has 7,000 employees across the world and has its international headquarters in London, U.K., and corporate headquarters in Carlsbad, California, U.S.

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a prominent space company that provides reliable launch services, spacecraft, satellite components, and on-orbit management. The company has developed Electron, which is an advanced launch vehicle, and is currently the second most frequently launched rocket in the U.S. Rocket Lab is currently developing Neutron, which is a large launch vehicle intended to launch constellations and large spacecraft missions that would provide critical data and services to Earth in the future. The space systems technology of Rocket Lab has enabled over 1,700 missions across the globe. The company has its headquarters in Long Beach, California, U.S., and has advanced manufacturing and mission operations centers in Virginia, New Mexico, Colorado, Maryland, Toronto, and New Zealand.