Anti-jam GEO satellite to support U.S. Space Force communications
NewsAugust 18, 2026
CARLSBAD, California. Viasat selected Rocket Lab to build the satellite bus for a small geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellite supporting the U.S. Space Force Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program, the company announced in a statement.
Rocket Lab will provide a GEO version of its Lightning spacecraft platform to carry Viasat's dual-band X/Ka-band communications payload, the statement reads.
The satellite is intended to provide anti-jam communications for U.S. and allied forces operating in contested environments, Viasat says. The PTS-G program is designed to use smaller GEO satellites based in part on commercial technologies to provide protected satellite communications.
Rocket Lab's spacecraft will include tracking, telemetry, and command (TT&C) radios, solar-power systems, star trackers, reaction wheels, and flight and ground software, according to the statement.
Viasat received a Space Force production award in May 2026 covering manufacturing, integration and testing, launch, and on-orbit checkout of the satellite. The award also includes five years of satellite operations and sustainment services, including TT&C, network operations, and cybersecurity support, the company says.
