Viasat and Rocket Lab Partner to Showcase On-Demand, Low-Latency Data Relay Services for LEO Satellites

Rhea-AI Summary

Viasat Inc. selected Rocket Lab to support its NASA CSP program demonstrations of multi-band space-relay capabilities. The partnership aims to showcase Viasat's portfolio of multi-band, space-based relay communication services for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space missions, addressing data latency challenges with real-time, low-data latency communications. The project, funded by two NASA awards totaling $80 million, will leverage Rocket Lab's spacecraft bus and mission operation support to demonstrate Viasat's innovative solutions.

Space Technology Analyst

The collaboration between Viasat and Rocket Lab represents a significant development in the field of space communications, particularly for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions. The use of Viasat's multi-band, space-based relay communication services aims to address the data latency challenges faced by LEO satellites, which is a critical aspect for the efficiency of space missions. By utilizing high-capacity Ka-band and global L-band networks, Viasat's Real-Time Space Relay (RTSR) and InCommand systems are poised to offer enhanced data management capabilities, including on-demand access to mission data and real-time telemetry, tracking and command operations.

The integration of these services through Viasat's Integrated Space Access Network (ISAN) further demonstrates a move towards more adaptable and efficient space communication infrastructures. This could lead to improved mission operations and data handling for a variety of LEO applications. The involvement of Rocket Lab not only in the production of the spacecraft bus but also in providing mission operation support, underscores the growing trend of collaboration between established satellite communications companies and agile space systems firms.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, the partnership between Viasat and Rocket Lab could have implications for the competitive landscape of satellite communications. Viasat's selection of Rocket Lab highlights the latter's growing credibility in the space industry and may influence investor perceptions of both companies. The announcement of this collaboration could potentially affect Viasat's stock (NASDAQ: VSAT) and Rocket Lab's stock (Nasdaq: RKLB), as it signals progress in Viasat's commitments under NASA's Communications Services Project (CSP).

The total awards of $80 million under CSP suggest a significant investment in developing next-generation communication technologies for near-Earth operations. As these demonstrations are successful, they may not only enhance Viasat's portfolio but could also set a precedent for future commercial satellite communications contracts with NASA and other agencies. This could lead to long-term revenue streams for Viasat and its partners, provided the technology meets the stringent requirements of space missions and offers a competitive advantage over existing solutions.

Financial Analyst

Financially, Viasat's involvement in NASA's CSP and the upcoming demonstrations could have material impacts on the company's future revenue and growth prospects. The $80 million in awards signifies a substantial investment that could lead to further opportunities with NASA and other space-faring entities. The successful demonstration of Viasat's multi-band communication services would likely enhance the company's reputation as a provider of innovative space communication solutions, potentially leading to more contracts and collaborations.

For Rocket Lab, the partnership with Viasat expands its customer base and showcases its capabilities beyond launch services, potentially attracting additional business in spacecraft systems and mission support. Investors will be interested in monitoring the progress of the demonstrations, as they may serve as a bellwether for the companies' technological capabilities and their ability to secure similar contracts in the future. The long-term financial benefits for both Viasat and Rocket Lab hinge on the successful execution of the mission and the subsequent market adoption of the technologies demonstrated.

Viasat selected Rocket Lab to support its NASA CSP program demonstrations of multi-band space-relay capabilities

CARLSBAD, Calif., and LONG BEACH, Calif., March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced it selected Rocket Lab USA, Inc (Nasdaq: RKLB), a leading launch and space systems company, to support Viasat's hybrid space communications networks demonstrations by producing a spacecraft bus and providing mission operation support. The demonstrations will make evident Viasat's portfolio of multi-band, space-based relay communication services in support of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space missions with substantial flexibility in managing data, with lower data latency and higher throughput in real time.

The demonstrations are part of Viasat's work across two awards, totaling $80 million, under NASA's Communications Services Project (CSP), which is evaluating commercial satellite communications services and technologies to support NASA near-Earth communications requirements as it sunsets the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS).

LEO satellites typically require direct line-of-sight to a ground station to communicate, introducing significant data latency into the 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-qualified Ka-band terminal will use Viasat's high-capacity Ka-band network of satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO) to enable LEO operators on-demand access to critical mission data. The InCommand system will use Viasat's global L-band network to provide real-time telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) operations at any point in the spacecraft's orbit. Rocket Lab will also provide a new L-band radio for InCommand called Frontier, which will support demonstrations of various TT&C applications.

Scheduled to launch in early 2026, the demonstration mission will also include direct-to-ground communications through Viasat's Real-Time Earth (RTE) Ground-Station-as-a-Service for S-, X-, and Ka-bands. All transports will be integrated through Viasat's Integrated Space Access Network (ISAN) to show the benefits of adaptable transport, giving LEO operators the ability to access data while balancing network availability, cost, and time-sensitive applications.

"We are proud to support NASA with this critically needed real-time space relay communications capability and excited about our continuing partnership with Rocket Lab to support Viasat's growing space missions portfolio" said Michael Maughan, Vice President of Space and Mission Systems, Viasat Government Systems. "From Earth observation and scientific missions to supporting defense operations, we designed our space relay services to be a highly flexible, cost effective and scalable solution for both government and commercial LEO operators to transport data based on application and mission needs."

Rocket Lab Vice President of Space Systems, Brad Clevenger, said: "Rocket Lab spacecraft are built on configurable, high-performance subsystems based on constellation-class manufacturing. By providing a configurable platform that can be tailored to suit even the most complex missions, our customers can focus on their own novel hardware and services and leave the development and operation of the spacecraft to us. We look forward to supporting Viasat on the NASA CSP mission, as it will also add responsive satellite communications capabilities to our configurable platform."

The Rocket Lab spacecraft will provide the power, communications, propulsion, and attitude control for the mission demonstration. Rocket Lab will incorporate its own satellite components and sub-systems into the spacecraft including star trackers, reaction wheels, solar panels, S-band radios, flight software and ground software, and the new L-band radio in development for the future InCommand service.

Visit the Viasat website for more information and background on Viasat's intersatellite communications service.

About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X or YouTube. 

Copyright © 2024 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S. and in other countries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, the Photon satellite platform, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 177 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab's Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia.www.rocketlabusa.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about Viasat's agreement with Rocket Lab; the features, expected benefits and performance of Viasat's Real-Time Space Relay service; the InCommand system capability through the L-band network; the features of the high-capacity Viasat satellite constellation in geostationary orbit; the development of the Ka-band terminal to enable LEO operators access to the Viasat network for data transfer; and the timing of the Rocket Lab mission and in-space demonstrations. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Viasat high-capacity Ka-band GEO satellites and any future satellite we may construct or acquire; construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; contractual problems, product defects, manufacturing issues or delays, regulatory issues, technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; delays in approving U.S. government budgets and cuts in government defense expenditures; and increased competition and other factors affecting the government and defense sectors generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

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SOURCE Viasat, Inc.

What is the purpose of Viasat selecting Rocket Lab for its NASA CSP program demonstrations?

Viasat selected Rocket Lab to support its demonstrations of multi-band space-relay capabilities for LEO space missions, aiming to address data latency challenges with real-time, low-data latency communications.

What is the total funding amount for the project under NASA's Communications Services Project (CSP)?

The project is funded by two NASA awards totaling $80 million.

When is the scheduled launch date for the demonstration mission?

The demonstration mission is scheduled to launch in early 2026.

What are the key solutions provided by Viasat for the demonstrations?

Viasat will utilize Ka- and L-band relay solutions to enable real-time, low-data latency communications for LEO operators, along with the InCommand system for telemetry, tracking, and command operations.

What is the role of Rocket Lab in the project?

Rocket Lab will produce a spacecraft bus and provide mission operation support for Viasat's hybrid space communications networks demonstrations, in addition to supplying a new L-band radio called Frontier for various TT&C applications.