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Viasat chosen by U.S. Space Force for next phase of space terminal development

In a decisive move aimed at strengthening the nation's space defense capabilities, the U.S. Space Force has selected Viasat Inc. to proceed to the next development phase of its multi-band and multi-orbit satellite terminal program.

This selection places Viasat—a prominent communications and defense technology firm—at the center of an initiative critical to achieving resilient, high-capacity space-based communications infrastructure. The partnership aligns with the Space Force’s objective to modernize its satellite communications architecture across geostationary, medium, and low Earth orbits.

Why do space terminals matter in today’s defense posture? Because the battlefield no longer ends at Earth’s horizon. Space terminals provide the gateway for command and control, intelligence sharing, and global connectivity in real time. They serve as pivotal nodes in the secure and agile networks the U.S. military relies on for mission assurance.

Viasat’s Expanding Influence in the Space Communications Arena

Establishing Authority in Satellite Communications

Viasat has secured its position at the forefront of satellite communications through a combination of technical maturity, operational reach, and consistent execution on high-stakes projects. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, the company operates a global satellite network supporting government, commercial, and defense clients across multiple continents. Its systems provide high-capacity, high-speed data communications for aviation, maritime operations, land-mobile connectivity, and government missions—each with unique, complex requirements.

In the context of space communications, Viasat’s proprietary network architecture stands out. The company’s operational satellites in the ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2, and recent ViaSat-3 constellations deliver broadband service with throughput capabilities that regularly exceed industry benchmarks. For example, ViaSat-2’s total network capacity reaches more than 260 Gbps, which allows for advanced, uninterrupted coverage over the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean region.

A Legacy of Government Collaboration

Viasat’s ongoing partnership with federal agencies has produced critical infrastructure for secure military communications. Over the past two decades, the company has delivered SATCOM terminals and encryption technologies for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), ensuring resilient data transfer under contested and congested operational environments.

What Defines Viasat’s Competitive Edge

Three elements shape Viasat’s distinct position in the space communication sector: vertically integrated technology development, waveform agility, and rapid acquisition of space-domain awareness. Unlike firms that specialize in isolated segments of the communications value chain, Viasat engineers, builds, and operates satellites, terminals, modems, cybersecurity systems, and network software under one roof. This level of control ensures coherence across ground and space segments, reducing latency and increasing interoperability.

The company’s modular, software-defined architecture enables terminals to operate across frequency bands (X-, Ku-, Ka-band) and dynamically adjust for mission needs. Coupled with tactical waveform support—including Link 16, WGS, and PTS—these systems adapt to hybrid and contested battlefield environments.

Being selected by the U.S. Space Force to advance satellite terminal development didn’t happen in isolation. It’s the outcome of Viasat’s accumulated proof of performance, cutting-edge research, and continuous systems innovation.

Viasat and the Strategic Weight of U.S. Space Force Collaboration

The Mission Behind the Partnership

The U.S. Space Force exists to organize, train, and equip military personnel to operate in and through space. Its core objectives include securing America's interests in space, delivering global space capabilities to the joint force, and developing resilient space architectures robust against emerging threats. The alignment with Viasat fits directly into this trajectory — ensuring future space infrastructure marries operational agility with technological superiority.

By onboarding companies with proven satellite communications expertise, the Space Force ensures rapid advancement in both hardware and software domains. The collaboration with Viasat supports the Department of Defense’s objective to declassify space as merely a support function and treat it as a distinct warfighting domain.

Building on a Proven Model: Public-Private Synergy

Integrating private sector capabilities into U.S. defense infrastructure is far from new. Programs like DARPA’s Blackjack, Lockheed Martin’s partnerships on GPS modernization, and SpaceX’s national security launch services exemplify how commercial innovation accelerates military readiness.

The U.S. Space Force continues this model by leveraging commercial R&D cycles, which outpace traditional government timelines. With Viasat joining this ecosystem, it reflects a strategic shift from monolithic government-owned systems to modular, commercially engineered architectures. Viasat’s inclusion signals confidence in its technical leverage, secure communication protocols, and interoperability with emerging space-based assets.

Why Viasat Matters in This Context

Viasat brings a combination of real-world deployment experience, secure network design, and adaptive bandwidth management — the triad of capabilities the Space Force prioritizes for next-generation mission success.

With contested and congested space environments becoming the new norm, Viasat’s trajectory aligns with the Space Force’s priorities for assured communications, resilient infrastructure, and adaptable systems. This isn’t a routine contract — it’s a calculated alignment of capabilities that shape how space defense looks over the next two decades.

Inside the Development Phase: Engineering Viasat's Next-Gen Space Terminal

What Defines a Space Terminal?

A space terminal serves as the essential interface that connects ground systems to satellites in orbit. It integrates antennas, modems, network control systems, and increasingly, optical components that enable high-throughput, low-latency communication across vast distances. Unlike traditional ground stations, modern terminals are being designed to support dynamic connectivity through multiple orbits—LEO, MEO, and GEO—while remaining compact, mobile, and reconfigurable.

Purpose and Operational Role in Satellite Networks

The terminal operates as both a receiver and transmitter. It sends commands to satellites and retrieves mission-critical data such as ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) feeds, telemetry streams, and navigation support. Within a satellite communications (SATCOM) network, the terminal ensures that real-time data flow remains uninterrupted, despite the complexity of orbital mechanics and bandwidth constraints.

In tactical environments, where rapid deployment matters, mobile terminals give warfighters and mission planners direct access to secure satellite links without relying on long-haul fiber networks. This capability enhances autonomy and speed, particularly in denied or degraded environments.

Integrating Optical Laser Communications

A transformative shift is underway. Viasat’s development phase targets the convergence of RF (radio frequency) systems and optical inter-satellite links. Optical links, using lasers, transmit data via photons instead of radio waves. This dramatically increases bandwidth—up to 100+ Gbps per link—while shrinking latency and minimizing the risk of signal interception. In multi-layer military satellite constellations, terminals that can switch between RF and optical communication stand to become mission assets rather than mere data relays.

Terminals must now support hybrid configurations: tracking fast-moving LEO satellites with precision, decoding high-volume optical signals, and dynamically allocating network resources based on mission priority. It’s not just about staying connected. It’s about making real-time data actionable across command hierarchies.

Prototype Development Objectives

Viasat's next phase under the U.S. Space Force contract focuses on a fully operational prototype that achieves several defined benchmarks:

Achieving these targets will materialize a blueprint not just for one terminal, but for a fleet-ready solution able to adapt in real time to evolving battlefield and orbital conditions.

Satellite Communications: The Backbone of Secure Military Data

Satellite Networks Powering Defense Communications

Modern military operations rely on constant, high-volume data exchange across geographically dispersed forces. Satellite communications (SATCOM) bridge remote theaters and central command, enabling secure transmission of surveillance footage, voice commands, targeting data, and live situational updates. Without satellite networks, long-range control of unmanned systems, airborne ISR platforms, or deployed units in denied environments would collapse.

Geostationary (GEO), medium earth orbit (MEO), and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites form a scalable architecture that maintains coverage continuity and global reach. For the U.S. Space Force, selection of Viasat aligns with ambitions to enhance resilience and responsiveness across this multi-orbit spectrum.

Speed, Integrity, and Resilience: Core Pillars in Combat Data Exchange

In live combat or intelligence gathering, milliseconds define outcomes. SATCOM systems must deliver high-throughput bandwidth with near-zero latency. Viasat-owned satellites like ViaSat-3 target data throughput in excess of 1 Tbps, significantly surpassing legacy capabilities. This ensures encrypted imagery or telemetry reaches decision points without delay.

At the protocol level, end-to-end encryption combined with adaptive modulation ensures that data remains uncompromised even under signal interference or cyber intrusion attempts. Military SATCOM also incorporates automatic beam rerouting and frequency hopping to resist jamming.

Viasat’s implementation of dynamic network management ensures continuity under degraded conditions. Software-defined payloads adapt communication channels according to mission needs, seamlessly delivering performance upgrades without hardware swaps.

The Role of Optical Laser Links in Modern Defense Satellites

A transformative leap in SATCOM security and speed lies in the adoption of optical inter-satellite links. Unlike radiofrequency methods, laser communication offers unjammable, high-bandwidth data channels—capable of reaching up to 100 Gbps per link. These transmission paths resist interception thanks to narrow beam divergence and are virtually immune to RF congestion.

Viasat integrates coherent optical terminals in development to connect its future satellite mesh. The capability to relay encrypted military data across satellites—without downlinking to ground stations—minimizes latency and exposure to earthbound threats.

By converging optical and radio-frequency technologies, these hybrid SATCOM systems create resilient pathways for mission-critical communication. This layered architecture guarantees operational continuity even when one modality is compromised.

How will this fusion of technologies redefine battlefield awareness? With faster, more secure links, decision cycles shrink, enabling commanders to act while adversaries process. Viasat’s solutions, chosen by the U.S. Space Force, are not upgrades—they are prerequisites for dominance across the multi-domain operational landscape.

Driving the Future of Military-Grade Space Systems

Pushing the Edge of Capability with Viasat’s Military Enhancements

Viasat is leveraging its deep-rooted expertise in satellite communications to develop space systems that meet and exceed the requirements of modern military operations. These capabilities are not theoretical – they are engineered for deployment in real-world, high-intensity conflict environments where clarity, speed, and security determine mission success.

The company’s advanced architecture integrates anti-jam features, dynamic beamforming, and Low Probability of Intercept/Detection (LPI/LPD) technologies. These features collectively strengthen electronic resilience and ensure uninterrupted communication under the threats posed by near-peer adversaries. By aligning system capabilities with Department of Defense Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) objectives, Viasat directly supports distributed warfighting operations across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.

Improved Battlefield Awareness and Tactical Advantage

Mission success depends on the speed at which information is shared and decisions are made. Viasat’s approach accelerates that loop. By enabling secure, high-throughput communication in contested and denied environments, warfighters receive real-time data from multiple theaters – satellites relay images across continents, terminals decode intelligence instantly, and commanders issue calibrated responses without delay.

The result is a battlefield picture that updates faster than the adversary can adapt. Imagine an unmanned aerial vehicle sending high-resolution reconnaissance to a ground team, while simultaneously feeding targeting data to an off-site command center. With Viasat’s terminal systems, this scenario becomes the standard, not the exception.

Expanding Global Reach and Operational Mobility

Global mobility isn't a theoretical benefit – it’s embedded in the terminal design. Viasat’s systems are portable, modular, and rapidly deployable, supporting expeditionary forces operating in austere environments. By tapping into Viasat’s growing satellite network and interoperable architecture, U.S. Space Force assets can remain connected across oceans, deserts, and polar regions without logistical bottlenecks.

This means troops embedded deep in foreign territory or command posts aboard airborne or maritime platforms maintain access to unified command structures and shared intelligence assets, regardless of geography or infrastructure limitations.

Securing the Backbone: Communications Infrastructure Designed for Defense

Viasat constructs secure communications infrastructure from both hardware and software standpoints. Encryption protocols meet the highest standards, including support for NSA Type 1 algorithms. Additionally, end-to-end traffic remains isolated through autonomous network routing layers and coalition-ready segmentation.

From sensor fusion on low Earth orbit satellites to command uplinks at geostationary heights, every layer of data transmission is engineered to counter cyber threats, overcome interference, and deny enemy monitoring. This ensures the integrity and availability of mission-critical communications no matter the adversarial pressure or environmental conditions.

Driving the Future: Technology and Innovation Behind the Terminals

Harnessing Optical Laser Systems for High-Speed Data Transmission

Viasat is integrating advanced optical laser communication technology into the terminals selected by the U.S. Space Force. Unlike traditional radio frequency systems, optical laser communications offer exceptionally high data rates—reaching up to 100 Gbps in current deployments—and are immune to electromagnetic interference. These systems reduce latency and provide resilient, secure transmissions even under contested environments. Leveraging their low-probability-of-intercept characteristics, the optical terminals enhance operational security across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Terminal Hardware and Software: Reconfigurable and Intelligent

The terminal architecture combines purpose-built hardware with intelligent software-defined elements. On the hardware side, terminals use modular components optimized for rugged conditions and seamless integration into existing platforms—whether airborne, terrestrial, or space-based. On the software end, they feature real-time reconfiguration capabilities, AI-assisted diagnostics, and autonomous fault recovery protocols. These innovations reduce system downtimes, extend lifecycle, and allow dynamic adaptation to evolving mission profiles.

Interoperability Across Government and NATO Networks

Terminal systems are built with open architecture frameworks and comply with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) standards. This ensures full interoperability with other military and government communication infrastructures, including NATO coalition networks. Using secure Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and common data protocols, the terminals integrate seamlessly with assets from other services and allied nations—facilitating joint operations and coalition command-and-control.

Managing Sensitive Data at Hyperscale

Secure data handling ranks among the core capabilities of Viasat’s next-phase terminals. Each unit supports encryption algorithms up to NSA Type 1 classification and employs data segmentation to prevent unauthorized access. Hardware-based cryptography modules are embedded at the firmware level, enabling inline encryption at speeds exceeding 80 Gbps. Combined with multilevel security frameworks and zero-trust architecture, these measures support rapid, secure communication of mission-critical data under both peacetime and combat scenarios.

Next-Generation Satellite Systems and Capabilities

Reinforcing Ground-to-Space Communication Dynamics

Next-generation satellite systems redefine the relationship between terrestrial stations and orbital assets. These advanced platforms facilitate seamless ground-to-space communication using adaptive waveforms, beamforming technologies, and AI-driven signal modulation. Real-time command and control, low-latency data exchanges, and dynamic link optimization shape a more responsive battlespace communication environment.

With the U.S. Space Force prioritizing resiliency and agility, satellites must now operate as intelligent nodes within a wider defense network rather than as static relays. Viasat’s contribution includes integrated systems capable of rapidly switching frequency bands, managing link integrity amidst jamming, and autonomously re-routing traffic in degraded conditions.

Greater Bandwidth, Power Efficiency, and Throughput

Legacy communications architectures struggle under modern data demands — next-gen satellites surpass them by several orders of magnitude. Viasat’s current GEO satellites already deliver over 1 terabit per second (Tbps) of total network capacity, with upcoming constellations expected to exceed this benchmark.

These capabilities directly translate to sustained, high-capacity communications across theater operations — even under electromagnetic attack or contested link environments.

Viasat’s Roadmap for Space-Based Superiority

Viasat has committed capital and R&D resources toward building a fully-interoperable, software-defined satellite ecosystem. This roadmap includes deployment of the ViaSat-4 platform, full integration of mesh networking across orbits, and elevation of edge computing capabilities onboard spacecraft.

Future payloads will support:

The objective isn’t incremental improvement — it's a generational leap that transforms how military operations mobilize, respond, and adapt across domains.

Government Contracts: Economic Impact and Strategic Acceleration

Federal Investment Signals Market Confidence

Each government contract awarded by the U.S. Space Force functions as more than a procurement agreement—it acts as a validation of a company’s technological integrity and strategic potential. Viasat, chosen for the next phase of space terminal development, now holds a strengthened position in the defense and aerospace ecosystem. This selection confirms the Department of Defense’s long-term trust in the company's capabilities, and, by extension, amplifies its credibility with investors, suppliers, and global partners.

Economic Ripple Effect Across the Technology Sector

Viasat’s collaboration with the U.S. Space Force is not just a single win—it generates secondary and tertiary economic impacts. Directly, it brings significant capital through contract revenue. Indirectly, it creates jobs across the supply chain, fuels R&D spending, and draws capital investment into critical infrastructure projects.

Driving Innovation at a National Scale

Once federal resources back a technology initiative, its R&D arc accelerates. Funds tied to the terminal development phase are already flowing toward next-gen components: software-defined waveforms, enhanced encryption modules, and AI-optimized routing protocols. This creates a compounding effect—each innovation stimulates another, rapidly moving Viasat and its partners up the tech maturity ladder.

Pathways for Civilian and Private Sector Technology Transfer

Technologies refined under government contracts rarely remain confined to military applications. Elements such as bandwidth optimization, low-latency link management, and power-efficient signal processing often find their way into commercial broadband, aviation, and autonomous systems.

By securing the next phase of terminal development, Viasat doesn't just elevate its defense portfolio—it brings momentum to adjacent markets, injects vitality into the national tech economy, and reinforces the U.S. space sector’s competitive edge worldwide.

Shaping the Future: Viasat’s Momentum and Its Ripple Effect in Space and Defense

Viasat’s advancement to the next phase of space terminal development through the U.S. Space Force is more than a milestone. It signals a wider transformation within the space-tech and defense landscape—a shift in how innovation, collaboration, and leadership interconnect.

Accelerating the Space-Tech Ecosystem

Public-private partnerships like this one send a direct signal to the market: space-based communication is no longer on the fringe but at the core of modern defense infrastructure. With the Department of Defense allocating over $33.3 billion to space-related programs in its FY2024 budget request, Viasat’s involvement reflects a broader strategy to operationalize and secure space assets rapidly. This funding surge encourages accelerated timelines for satellite constellations, optical communication systems, and AI-integrated defense platforms.

As large-scale projects gain traction, adjacent industries—from ground terminal manufacturers to cybersecurity firms specializing in satellite networks—face increased demand. The project becomes a magnet, pulling research institutions, agile startups, and established aerospace contractors into an ecosystem defined by interoperability and speed.

Fertile Ground for Cross-Contractor Collaboration

Defense contractors now view integration potential as a key differentiator in winning future contracts. Viasat’s work in protected satellite communications requires seamless handoffs between systems, highlighting the need for joint architectures and shared standards. As a result, major players like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon may find new opportunities—not only in competing but in co-developing interoperable technologies with Viasat.

This project doesn’t just elevate Viasat—it pressures others to align, adapt, and scale faster than current cycles allow.

Opportunity Window for Emerging Space-Tech Ventures

Startups delivering specialized solutions in encryption, autonomous signal routing, or quantum-safe communications now find themselves with a viable point of entry. Once limited by steep procurement barriers and siloed development processes, smaller firms can now position themselves as micro-innovators inside larger government-led frameworks.

Viasat’s presence in this next phase sets a precedent for involving non-traditional vendors through modular design and open system standards. This can:

With space seen as a contested domain, the velocity of innovation becomes non-negotiable. Viasat’s initiative under the U.S. Space Force umbrella reshapes the competitive map, inviting a wider mix of participants into the defense technology conversation. Whether directly through government programs or via integration paths with prime contractors, access now tilts toward the bold and the ready.

Forging the Path Ahead in Space-Based Defense

The selection of Viasat by the U.S. Space Force for the next phase of space terminal development reshapes the trajectory of secure satellite communications. This partnership integrates advanced commercial innovation directly into military-grade space infrastructure, closing operational gaps and accelerating deployment timelines.

Incorporating Viasat’s proven technology into defense architectures expands the U.S. Space Force's capabilities while reducing reliance on legacy systems. This isn't simply an upgrade — it creates a new benchmark for real-time, resilient, global communications spanning contested, congested, and denied environments.

As geopolitical competition intensifies in orbital domains, the U.S. continues to redirect resources toward strengthening its defensive posture in space. Viasat’s involvement signals a clear decision by military leadership: domestically driven innovation holds the key to dominance in next-generation C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems.

The implications stretch beyond tactical readiness. Viasat’s role in this mission reinforces the U.S. commitment to a future-proof space architecture that adapts quickly, scales efficiently, and remains secure. Expectations now center on rapid prototyping, operational utility, and strategic interoperability—all within a digitized battlespace.