Viasat has selected Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) to support the demonstration of Viasat's hybrid space communications network by manufacturing the spacecraft bus and providing mission operations support.
This demonstration showcases Viasat's portfolio of multi-band, space-based relay communications services that support Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space missions with significant flexibility in data management with low data latency and higher throughput in real-time. will be added to. Through this partnership, Viasat, a global provider of satellite communications, and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a launch and space systems company, will receive two awards (8 total) based on NASA communications services projects. The collaboration will be part of Viasat's $20 million initiative. (CSP). This project evaluates commercial satellite communications services and technologies that support NASA's near-Earth communications requirements with the retirement of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS).
LEO satellites typically require direct line-of-sight with ground stations to communicate, introducing significant data delays to mission operations. Viasat's Ka and L-band relay solutions are designed to address this challenge with near real-time, low data latency communications. The Real-Time Space Relay (RTSR) space-certified Ka-band terminal uses Viasat's high-capacity Ka-band network of geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites to give LEO operators on-demand access to critical mission data .
The InCommand system uses Viasat's global L-band network to provide real-time telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) operations at any point in a spacecraft's orbit. Rocket Lab also offers a new L-band radio for InCommand called Frontier that supports demonstrations of various TT&C applications.
Scheduled to launch in early 2026, the demonstration mission will also include direct ground communications via Viasat's Real-Time Earth (RTE) Ground-Station-as-a-Service for S, X, and Ka bands. included. All transports are integrated through Viasat's Integrated Space Access Network (ISAN), demonstrating the benefits of adaptive transport and helping LEO operators balance network availability, cost, and time-sensitive applications. The data will be accessible.
“We are proud to support NASA with this much-needed real-time space relay communications capability and are excited about our continued collaboration with Rocket Lab to support Viasat’s growing portfolio of space missions. We are excited about this partnership.” Said Michael Maughan, Vice President, Space and Mission Systems, Viasat Government Systems. “From Earth observation and science missions to supporting defense operations, our space relay services are highly flexible and allow both government and commercial LEO operators to transfer data based on application and mission needs. We designed it to be a cost-effective and scalable solution.”
Brad Clevenger, Vice President of Space Systems, Rocket LabAdded, “Rocket Lab spacecraft are built on configurable, high-performance subsystems based on Constellation-class manufacturing. To provide a configurable platform that can be tailored to suit even the most complex missions. , you can focus on your own new hardware and services and leave the development and operations of your spacecraft to us. We look forward to supporting Viasat on NASA CSP missions. This also adds responsive satellite communications capabilities to a configurable platform.”
The Rocket Lab spacecraft will provide power, communications, propulsion, and attitude control for mission demonstrations. Rocket Lab will develop its own satellite components and subsystems, including star trackers, reaction wheels, solar panels, S-band radios, flight and ground software, and new L-band radios being developed for future InCommand services. It is planned to be installed in a spacecraft. .
For more information and background on Viasat's intersatellite communications services, please visit the Viasat website.