{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"120574","rtpr_id":"nGNX6tqx06","ticker":"RKLB","exchange":"NASDAQ","all_tickers":["RKLB"],"title":"Viasat Selects Rocket Lab to Build GEO Satellite for U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global Program","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-08-17T12:35:17.123Z","article_body":"CARLSBAD, Calif. and LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --\nViasat Inc. \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=53T2EJqaPrAiki3jvHSCOyKhp7FoJn95ug3vouiRo8W7gd-6z-ud9ie7-XE4iRmvkCd8boRwJLXB65XHUAA0wA==)(NASDAQ:\nVSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced it\nselected Rocket Lab Corporation\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=FmjygMAFxPJD1ZunHGveVVTEO1LyOdOQhxBl49Vc-F_IhSAFPax1xFqXrZ97Odl2vceHhzrShaFn1huL2RFMSM85B4llykyZwpkozPChO989SjZFipyo_n4zBGcQQ7OeKZ1TRwBEY9z98LW78QY0AUvGIpItiQzcyfMjNuwMSWxHcx2rbroY1-Nrpci3e5n95jRxB6KhzBNxmMCGUOeDnalj4hu9nbNammgdHwF2Rqf9T89RVngB15UjNAtbvjdGnD4JCqlBqqczK2irA3UvVyysAZFpT1y-rWH3a_KhGeaLt_zoDtdblvf6BoH7f9jQZGJYWBW2TIqxDpVYOJAf_Z2DAn7MJlSiKPgRIX8KwDs035pGzbGplX-Npv0LJZGFES0civrKTJDf46QD0AULgqM9pqdB_tIVFoWBVS6Mf6NFd70IHgJryI2op-M_VF_8TopJTjfuDJGSXsz9RqwcnL1O1JHjF4Jm1i10xBMYavXSJgozGfdCOTSnVRUl5n-qD0xnHdtQuNJVbHXO-HSRnZk3ukOqa-QXvc9oVNURdAk=)\n(Nasdaq: RKLB), a leading launch and space systems company, to build a\nsatellite bus for the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC)\nunder the Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program. On May 22, 2026,\nViasat was awarded a prime contract to deliver one of the first small,\nmaneuverable geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites for the PTS-G\nconstellation. The initial production award, known as Swarm 1, includes\nmanufacturing, integration and test, launch, and on-orbit checkout of the\nmini-GEO satellite system.\n\nPTS-G is a key part of USSF’s strategy to deliver global, resilient, and\nscalable satellite communications to warfighters by leveraging commercial\ndesigns and technology to support smaller, faster-to-produce satellites with\nenhanced anti-jam capabilities. Viasat’s government space team within its\nDefense and Advanced Technologies segment will lead this work to advance the\nPTS-G initial operating capability.\n\nRocket Lab will deliver a GEO configuration of its high-performance Lightning\nspacecraft platform to host Viasat's dual-band X/Ka-band payload.\nLightning-GEO features a high-power architecture built with Rocket Lab's own\nvertically integrated components and subsystems, including tracking,\ntelemetry, and command (TT&C) radios, solar power, star trackers, reaction\nwheels, flight and ground software, and more.\n\nThe combination of Rocket Lab's high reliability Lightning platform and\nViasat's mini-GEO satellite architecture and high-performance payload will\nprovide secure communications for the warfighter. This mini-GEO satellite will\nprovide a next-generation, anti-jam, resilient communications capability\ndesigned to ensure secure connectivity for U.S. and allied forces operating in\ncontested environments around the world.\n\nViasat will provide its technical and operational expertise designing and\ndelivering high-performance dual-use satellite solutions, as well as a deep\nunderstanding of USSF and U.S. Department of War mission requirements. Rocket\nLab's GEO configuration also leverages commercial solutions, further\nsupporting the Space Force's push toward more resilient architecture based on\nscaled commercial capability.\n\n\"This production award represents an important step forward in delivering the\nnext generation of protected satellite communications capabilities for the\nU.S. Space Force,” said Craig Miller, President, Viasat Government. “By\ncombining Viasat's cutting-edge communications payload technology with Rocket\nLab's proven spacecraft platform, we are advancing a more agile and resilient\nGEO architecture designed to support mission-critical communications hot spots\nin contested environments. We are excited to showcase how low cost, high\nperformance dual-use technology can provide reliable connectivity for evolving\nmissions in an increasingly contested tactical communications environment.\"\n\nRocket Lab Founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck said: \"Moving from design into\nproduction marks an important milestone for this program and for Rocket Lab's\ngrowing role in national security space. By pairing our vertically integrated\nspacecraft with Viasat's protected communications payload, we're delivering\nresilient, space-based communications infrastructure that keeps our forces\nconnected and secure in contested environments.\"\n\nViasat's award is one of two delivery orders issued under a competitive Fair\nOpportunity acquisition, reflecting the Space Force's strategy of building a\ndiversified, resilient PTS-G architecture. In addition to delivering the\nspacecraft and payload, the Viasat PTS-G award also includes five years of\noperations and sustainment services for the satellite, including TT&C,\nsatellite and network operations, and cybersecurity requirements.\n\nAbout Viasat\nViasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and\neverything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around\nthe world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and\nmilitaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the\nultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable,\nsecure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people's lives\nanywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a\nsustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of\nInmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies\nto create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com,\nthe Viasat News Room \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=53T2EJqaPrAiki3jvHSCO0kv0GJ2S_7aaawrZ416-cG7O5v0pQtogXlLYUhZ37EUnkRTZO0QMDuQfz2w6JIgUVPvkTjPNy6Xb_VPOQpDqEYEiGVAwFXDbTMhZQtcbAiG)or\nfollow us on LinkedIn\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=Cvqbufj3EYtrgJOl9-40Rb6SBSNfoKpOHiW_svWiuG29FppG9G786oPc2I_tklQugRDAFCaHzsOVpwp-aR0Z1mh_XotnS3eB0DRPwPFvABQ=),\nX\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=mFUNQhGS4IQj_YRGFD24cIhZR1K0mdnCwahXszQRzJpkR8FIS4xveBvjiaL3GYu1),\nInstagram\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=8loStBWFiqDvMrTR8fB2WPpEJOLgdnhWHqeVER2Tksjm68Pe43i5-0w74Hnzak1W9Wp2MgCmfvgUkMfqfKmK4g==),\nFacebook\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=MF7mnz5nhnV0a6v1Dfz9y-7E5q5Vs4xxgZl9ZZaLrvHVffu4yMDN_8WVu-qjFjjyaYGO2-RSKwH9ILmPDD4kng==),\nBluesky\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=1sgh-jTVNmV__ASYV0-CTJ98C9-FKqTKOhAD_2ApHYZhbm-79TdR-nN97OLffydM1cQWEC6B7GeBJzDRDzlYQ_pfNGYS0bSuqO536wyK174=),\nThreads\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=K_-X4ViNHQ5B_f9BK55_MAD6SWprWo8jVH0DHFrvcYs6CWne72XkuJxPF9aXlQuvk_22H9FagFY39lJyNNTuRIxXRZ_ToA0mBtNVf2KcW5c=),\nand YouTube\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=9XxBcN1qYtvjOgaGFbo1C_WTKH9gWpvUeai9PStozQsamVDI4xmA5UU9L8wirQPA5crMs86HfY22c2n72WDo3w==). \n\nCopyright © 2026 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo\nand the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S. and in other\ncountries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are\nused for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their\nrespective owners.\n\nAbout Rocket Lab\nRocket Lab is a leading space company that provides launch services,\nspacecraft, payloads and satellite components serving commercial, government,\nand national security markets. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is the world’s\nmost frequently launched orbital small rocket; its HASTE rocket provides\nhypersonic test launch capability for the U.S. government and allied nations;\nand its Neutron launch vehicle in development will unlock medium launch for\nconstellation deployment, national security and exploration missions. Rocket\nLab’s spacecraft and satellite components have enabled more than 1,700\nmissions spanning commercial, defense and national security missions including\nGPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus.\nRocket Lab is a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq stock exchange\n(RKLB). Learn more at www.rocketlabcorp.com.\n\nViasat, Inc. Contacts\nDan Bleier, Public Relations, Viasat Government, +1 (202) 383-5074,\ndaniel.bleier@viasat.com\nPeter Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 (760) 476-2633, IR@viasat.com      \n\nRocket Lab Contacts\nMorgan Connaughton\nmedia@rocketlabusa.com\n\nForward-Looking Statements\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the\nsafe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities\nExchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others,\nstatements that refer to Viasat’s PTS-G program Swarm 1 Delivery Order\naward, including the anticipated production, launch, delivery and performance\nof the Viasat dual-band X/Ka-band satellite; future operations and sustainment\nservices for the satellite; and statements regarding Rocket Lab’s\nLightning-GEO spacecraft platform, including anticipated production,\nconfiguration, delivery, and performance; and Viasat’s receipt of any future\nmanufacturing or other awards related to the program. Readers are cautioned\nthat actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any\nforward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ\ninclude: risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of\nsatellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or\ndegradation in satellite performance; changes in relationships with, or the\nfinancial condition of, key customers or suppliers; our reliance on a limited\nnumber of third parties to manufacture and supply our products; our ability to\nsuccessfully develop, introduce and sell new technologies, products and\nservices; increased competition; the effect of adverse regulatory changes\n(including changes affecting spectrum availability or permitted uses) on our\nability to sell or deploy our products and services; changes in the way others\nuse spectrum; our inability to access additional spectrum, use spectrum for\nadditional purposes, and/or operate satellites at additional orbital\nlocations; competing uses of the same spectrum or orbital locations that we\nutilize or seek to utilize; and introduction of new technologies and other\nfactors affecting the communications and defense industries generally.\nForward-looking statements related to Rocket Lab are subject to similar risks,\nincluding those associated with Rocket Lab’s spacecraft platform\ndevelopment, production, operations, and subsystem performance. In addition,\nplease refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat’s and Rocket Lab’s\nrespective SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including the most recent\nAnnual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are\ncautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which\nspeak only as of the date on which they are made. Neither Viasat nor Rocket\nLab undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking\nstatements for any reason.\n\nA photo accompanying this announcement is available at\nhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d724aa5d-4fe0-42eb-88ec-0b6419047ee0\n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d5785cc8-1501-4a8f-8c5c-ca3e966db143)\nRocket Lab Lightning Platform \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d724aa5d-4fe0-42eb-88ec-0b6419047ee0/en)\nViasat Selects Rocket Lab to Build GEO Satellite for U.S. Space Force’s\nProtected Tactical SATCOM-Global Program\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNX6tqx06","title":"Viasat Selects Rocket Lab to Build GEO Satellite for U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global Program","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"RKLB","created":"2026-08-17T12:35:17.123Z","tickers":["RKLB"],"exchange":"NASDAQ","article_body":"CARLSBAD, Calif. and LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --\nViasat Inc. \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=53T2EJqaPrAiki3jvHSCOyKhp7FoJn95ug3vouiRo8W7gd-6z-ud9ie7-XE4iRmvkCd8boRwJLXB65XHUAA0wA==)(NASDAQ:\nVSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced it\nselected Rocket Lab Corporation\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=FmjygMAFxPJD1ZunHGveVVTEO1LyOdOQhxBl49Vc-F_IhSAFPax1xFqXrZ97Odl2vceHhzrShaFn1huL2RFMSM85B4llykyZwpkozPChO989SjZFipyo_n4zBGcQQ7OeKZ1TRwBEY9z98LW78QY0AUvGIpItiQzcyfMjNuwMSWxHcx2rbroY1-Nrpci3e5n95jRxB6KhzBNxmMCGUOeDnalj4hu9nbNammgdHwF2Rqf9T89RVngB15UjNAtbvjdGnD4JCqlBqqczK2irA3UvVyysAZFpT1y-rWH3a_KhGeaLt_zoDtdblvf6BoH7f9jQZGJYWBW2TIqxDpVYOJAf_Z2DAn7MJlSiKPgRIX8KwDs035pGzbGplX-Npv0LJZGFES0civrKTJDf46QD0AULgqM9pqdB_tIVFoWBVS6Mf6NFd70IHgJryI2op-M_VF_8TopJTjfuDJGSXsz9RqwcnL1O1JHjF4Jm1i10xBMYavXSJgozGfdCOTSnVRUl5n-qD0xnHdtQuNJVbHXO-HSRnZk3ukOqa-QXvc9oVNURdAk=)\n(Nasdaq: RKLB), a leading launch and space systems company, to build a\nsatellite bus for the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC)\nunder the Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program. On May 22, 2026,\nViasat was awarded a prime contract to deliver one of the first small,\nmaneuverable geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites for the PTS-G\nconstellation. The initial production award, known as Swarm 1, includes\nmanufacturing, integration and test, launch, and on-orbit checkout of the\nmini-GEO satellite system.\n\nPTS-G is a key part of USSF’s strategy to deliver global, resilient, and\nscalable satellite communications to warfighters by leveraging commercial\ndesigns and technology to support smaller, faster-to-produce satellites with\nenhanced anti-jam capabilities. Viasat’s government space team within its\nDefense and Advanced Technologies segment will lead this work to advance the\nPTS-G initial operating capability.\n\nRocket Lab will deliver a GEO configuration of its high-performance Lightning\nspacecraft platform to host Viasat's dual-band X/Ka-band payload.\nLightning-GEO features a high-power architecture built with Rocket Lab's own\nvertically integrated components and subsystems, including tracking,\ntelemetry, and command (TT&C) radios, solar power, star trackers, reaction\nwheels, flight and ground software, and more.\n\nThe combination of Rocket Lab's high reliability Lightning platform and\nViasat's mini-GEO satellite architecture and high-performance payload will\nprovide secure communications for the warfighter. This mini-GEO satellite will\nprovide a next-generation, anti-jam, resilient communications capability\ndesigned to ensure secure connectivity for U.S. and allied forces operating in\ncontested environments around the world.\n\nViasat will provide its technical and operational expertise designing and\ndelivering high-performance dual-use satellite solutions, as well as a deep\nunderstanding of USSF and U.S. Department of War mission requirements. Rocket\nLab's GEO configuration also leverages commercial solutions, further\nsupporting the Space Force's push toward more resilient architecture based on\nscaled commercial capability.\n\n\"This production award represents an important step forward in delivering the\nnext generation of protected satellite communications capabilities for the\nU.S. Space Force,” said Craig Miller, President, Viasat Government. “By\ncombining Viasat's cutting-edge communications payload technology with Rocket\nLab's proven spacecraft platform, we are advancing a more agile and resilient\nGEO architecture designed to support mission-critical communications hot spots\nin contested environments. We are excited to showcase how low cost, high\nperformance dual-use technology can provide reliable connectivity for evolving\nmissions in an increasingly contested tactical communications environment.\"\n\nRocket Lab Founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck said: \"Moving from design into\nproduction marks an important milestone for this program and for Rocket Lab's\ngrowing role in national security space. By pairing our vertically integrated\nspacecraft with Viasat's protected communications payload, we're delivering\nresilient, space-based communications infrastructure that keeps our forces\nconnected and secure in contested environments.\"\n\nViasat's award is one of two delivery orders issued under a competitive Fair\nOpportunity acquisition, reflecting the Space Force's strategy of building a\ndiversified, resilient PTS-G architecture. In addition to delivering the\nspacecraft and payload, the Viasat PTS-G award also includes five years of\noperations and sustainment services for the satellite, including TT&C,\nsatellite and network operations, and cybersecurity requirements.\n\nAbout Viasat\nViasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and\neverything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around\nthe world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and\nmilitaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the\nultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable,\nsecure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people's lives\nanywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a\nsustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of\nInmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies\nto create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com,\nthe Viasat News Room \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=53T2EJqaPrAiki3jvHSCO0kv0GJ2S_7aaawrZ416-cG7O5v0pQtogXlLYUhZ37EUnkRTZO0QMDuQfz2w6JIgUVPvkTjPNy6Xb_VPOQpDqEYEiGVAwFXDbTMhZQtcbAiG)or\nfollow us on LinkedIn\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=Cvqbufj3EYtrgJOl9-40Rb6SBSNfoKpOHiW_svWiuG29FppG9G786oPc2I_tklQugRDAFCaHzsOVpwp-aR0Z1mh_XotnS3eB0DRPwPFvABQ=),\nX\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=mFUNQhGS4IQj_YRGFD24cIhZR1K0mdnCwahXszQRzJpkR8FIS4xveBvjiaL3GYu1),\nInstagram\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=8loStBWFiqDvMrTR8fB2WPpEJOLgdnhWHqeVER2Tksjm68Pe43i5-0w74Hnzak1W9Wp2MgCmfvgUkMfqfKmK4g==),\nFacebook\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=MF7mnz5nhnV0a6v1Dfz9y-7E5q5Vs4xxgZl9ZZaLrvHVffu4yMDN_8WVu-qjFjjyaYGO2-RSKwH9ILmPDD4kng==),\nBluesky\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=1sgh-jTVNmV__ASYV0-CTJ98C9-FKqTKOhAD_2ApHYZhbm-79TdR-nN97OLffydM1cQWEC6B7GeBJzDRDzlYQ_pfNGYS0bSuqO536wyK174=),\nThreads\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=K_-X4ViNHQ5B_f9BK55_MAD6SWprWo8jVH0DHFrvcYs6CWne72XkuJxPF9aXlQuvk_22H9FagFY39lJyNNTuRIxXRZ_ToA0mBtNVf2KcW5c=),\nand YouTube\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=9XxBcN1qYtvjOgaGFbo1C_WTKH9gWpvUeai9PStozQsamVDI4xmA5UU9L8wirQPA5crMs86HfY22c2n72WDo3w==). \n\nCopyright © 2026 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo\nand the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S. and in other\ncountries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are\nused for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their\nrespective owners.\n\nAbout Rocket Lab\nRocket Lab is a leading space company that provides launch services,\nspacecraft, payloads and satellite components serving commercial, government,\nand national security markets. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is the world’s\nmost frequently launched orbital small rocket; its HASTE rocket provides\nhypersonic test launch capability for the U.S. government and allied nations;\nand its Neutron launch vehicle in development will unlock medium launch for\nconstellation deployment, national security and exploration missions. Rocket\nLab’s spacecraft and satellite components have enabled more than 1,700\nmissions spanning commercial, defense and national security missions including\nGPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus.\nRocket Lab is a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq stock exchange\n(RKLB). Learn more at www.rocketlabcorp.com.\n\nViasat, Inc. Contacts\nDan Bleier, Public Relations, Viasat Government, +1 (202) 383-5074,\ndaniel.bleier@viasat.com\nPeter Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 (760) 476-2633, IR@viasat.com      \n\nRocket Lab Contacts\nMorgan Connaughton\nmedia@rocketlabusa.com\n\nForward-Looking Statements\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the\nsafe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities\nExchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others,\nstatements that refer to Viasat’s PTS-G program Swarm 1 Delivery Order\naward, including the anticipated production, launch, delivery and performance\nof the Viasat dual-band X/Ka-band satellite; future operations and sustainment\nservices for the satellite; and statements regarding Rocket Lab’s\nLightning-GEO spacecraft platform, including anticipated production,\nconfiguration, delivery, and performance; and Viasat’s receipt of any future\nmanufacturing or other awards related to the program. Readers are cautioned\nthat actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any\nforward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ\ninclude: risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of\nsatellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or\ndegradation in satellite performance; changes in relationships with, or the\nfinancial condition of, key customers or suppliers; our reliance on a limited\nnumber of third parties to manufacture and supply our products; our ability to\nsuccessfully develop, introduce and sell new technologies, products and\nservices; increased competition; the effect of adverse regulatory changes\n(including changes affecting spectrum availability or permitted uses) on our\nability to sell or deploy our products and services; changes in the way others\nuse spectrum; our inability to access additional spectrum, use spectrum for\nadditional purposes, and/or operate satellites at additional orbital\nlocations; competing uses of the same spectrum or orbital locations that we\nutilize or seek to utilize; and introduction of new technologies and other\nfactors affecting the communications and defense industries generally.\nForward-looking statements related to Rocket Lab are subject to similar risks,\nincluding those associated with Rocket Lab’s spacecraft platform\ndevelopment, production, operations, and subsystem performance. In addition,\nplease refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat’s and Rocket Lab’s\nrespective SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including the most recent\nAnnual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are\ncautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which\nspeak only as of the date on which they are made. Neither Viasat nor Rocket\nLab undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking\nstatements for any reason.\n\nA photo accompanying this announcement is available at\nhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d724aa5d-4fe0-42eb-88ec-0b6419047ee0\n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d5785cc8-1501-4a8f-8c5c-ca3e966db143)\nRocket Lab Lightning Platform \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d724aa5d-4fe0-42eb-88ec-0b6419047ee0/en)\nViasat Selects Rocket Lab to Build GEO Satellite for U.S. Space Force’s\nProtected Tactical SATCOM-Global Program\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-08-17T12:35:17.174309773Z","server_sent_at_ms":1786970117174},"received_at":"2026-08-17T12:35:17.319Z","source_url":"https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/08/17/3346048/0/en/viasat-selects-rocket-lab-to-build-geo-satellite-for-u-s-space-force-s-protected-tactical-satcom-global-program.html"},"analysis":{"id":"109557","press_release_id":"120574","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Aerospace & Defense","sector":"Information Technology"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"operations_update","narrative":"Rocket Lab was selected by Viasat to build a GEO satellite bus for the U.S. Space Force's Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program under the Swarm 1 delivery order.\n\nThe deal utilizes Rocket Lab's Lightning-GEO spacecraft platform to host Viasat's dual-band X/Ka-band payload, marking a move from design into production for Rocket Lab's national security space segment.\n\nThe award covers manufacturing, integration, launch, on-orbit checkout, and five years of operations and sustainment services, though specific financial terms were not disclosed.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":true,"suggestedAngle":"Rocket Lab expands into GEO satellite manufacturing with U.S. Space Force contract win via Viasat."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"program_name":"Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G)","delivery_order":"Swarm 1","contract_duration_years":5}},"quotedText":"Moving from design into production marks an important milestone for this program and for Rocket Lab's growing role in national security space.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Craig Miller","role":"President, Viasat Government"},{"name":"Sir Peter Beck","role":"Founder and CEO, Rocket Lab"}],"products":["Lightning spacecraft platform","Lightning-GEO","Swarm 1","Electron rocket","HASTE rocket","Neutron launch vehicle"],"companies":[{"name":"Viasat Inc.","ticker":"VSAT","relationship":"prime contractor / partner"},{"name":"Rocket Lab Corporation","ticker":"RKLB","relationship":"subcontractor / platform provider"},{"name":"U.S. Space Force","relationship":"customer"},{"name":"Space Systems Command","relationship":"customer division"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":3,"reasoning":"Rocket Lab was selected by Viasat as a subcontractor to build a satellite bus for the U.S. Space Force's PTS-G program. This validates Rocket Lab's move beyond launch into GEO spacecraft manufacturing and expands its national security footprint. 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