Viasat Selected by U.S. Space Force for Phase 2 of Enterprise Space Terminal Program
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) has been selected by the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command for Phase 2 of the Enterprise Space Terminal (EST) program. The project focuses on developing an optical laser communications terminal for military space operations. Under its Defense and Advanced Technologies segment, Viasat completed the Preliminary Design Review for its Free Space Optical space terminal in Phase 1.
In Phase 2, Viasat will advance the design and develop a hardware prototype for next-generation space laser communications. The terminal will support crosslinking and multi-orbit, interoperable communications between satellites, contributing to the Space Force's broader Space Data Network objectives and the formation of a unified space mesh network.
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) è stata selezionata dal Comando Sistemi Spaziali della U.S. Space Force per la Fase 2 del programma Enterprise Space Terminal (EST). Il progetto si concentra sullo sviluppo di un terminale di comunicazione laser ottico per operazioni militari nello spazio. Nel segmento Difesa e Tecnologie Avanzate, Viasat ha completato la Revisione Preliminare del Progetto del suo terminale spaziale Free Space Optical nella Fase 1.
Durante la Fase 2, Viasat perfezionerà il design e svilupperà un prototipo hardware per le comunicazioni laser spaziali di nuova generazione. Il terminale supporterà comunicazioni crosslink e multi-orbita interoperabili tra satelliti, contribuendo agli obiettivi più ampi della Space Force relativi alla Rete Dati Spaziale e alla creazione di una rete mesh spaziale unificata.
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) ha sido seleccionada por el Comando de Sistemas Espaciales de la Fuerza Espacial de EE.UU. para la Fase 2 del programa Enterprise Space Terminal (EST). El proyecto se centra en desarrollar un terminal de comunicaciones láser óptico para operaciones militares en el espacio. Bajo su segmento de Defensa y Tecnologías Avanzadas, Viasat completó la Revisión de Diseño Preliminar para su terminal espacial Free Space Optical en la Fase 1.
En la Fase 2, Viasat avanzará en el diseño y desarrollará un prototipo de hardware para comunicaciones láser espaciales de próxima generación. El terminal apoyará comunicaciones crosslink e interoperables multi-órbita entre satélites, contribuyendo a los objetivos más amplios de la Fuerza Espacial relacionados con la Red de Datos Espaciales y la formación de una red mallada espacial unificada.
Viasat(NASDAQ: VSAT)는 미국 우주군 우주 시스템 사령부(U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command)에 의해 Enterprise Space Terminal(EST) 프로그램 2단계에 선정되었습니다. 이 프로젝트는 군사 우주 작전을 위한 광학 레이저 통신 터미널 개발에 중점을 두고 있습니다. 방위 및 첨단 기술 부문에서 Viasat는 1단계에서 Free Space Optical 우주 터미널에 대한 예비 설계 검토를 완료했습니다.
2단계에서는 Viasat가 설계를 발전시키고 차세대 우주 레이저 통신을 위한 하드웨어 프로토타입을 개발할 예정입니다. 이 터미널은 위성 간의 크로스링크 및 다중 궤도 상호 운용 통신을 지원하여 우주군의 광범위한 우주 데이터 네트워크 목표와 통합된 우주 메시 네트워크 형성에 기여할 것입니다.
Viasat (NASDAQ : VSAT) a été sélectionnée par le Space Systems Command de la U.S. Space Force pour la phase 2 du programme Enterprise Space Terminal (EST). Le projet vise à développer un terminal de communication laser optique pour les opérations militaires dans l’espace. Dans son segment Défense et Technologies Avancées, Viasat a achevé la revue préliminaire de conception de son terminal spatial Free Space Optical lors de la phase 1.
Lors de la phase 2, Viasat fera progresser la conception et développera un prototype matériel pour les communications laser spatiales de nouvelle génération. Le terminal supportera des communications crosslink et multi-orbite interopérables entre satellites, contribuant aux objectifs plus larges de la Space Force concernant le réseau de données spatiales et la formation d’un réseau maillé spatial unifié.
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) wurde vom Space Systems Command der U.S. Space Force für Phase 2 des Enterprise Space Terminal (EST)-Programms ausgewählt. Das Projekt konzentriert sich auf die Entwicklung eines optischen Laserkommunikationsterminals für militärische Weltraumoperationen. Im Bereich Verteidigung und fortschrittliche Technologien hat Viasat die Vorläufige Designüberprüfung für sein Free Space Optical Weltraumterminal in Phase 1 abgeschlossen.
In Phase 2 wird Viasat das Design weiterentwickeln und einen Hardware-Prototyp für die nächste Generation der Weltraum-Laserkommunikation erstellen. Das Terminal wird Crosslink- und multi-orbitale, interoperable Kommunikation zwischen Satelliten unterstützen und so zu den übergeordneten Zielen der Space Force für das Space Data Network und die Bildung eines einheitlichen Weltraum-Mesh-Netzwerks beitragen.
- Contract win with U.S. Space Force for Phase 2 of EST program
- Successfully completed Phase 1 Preliminary Design Review
- Strategic positioning in military space communications market
- Development of advanced technology for high-throughput, secure optical communications
- None.
Insights
Viasat secures crucial Phase 2 Space Force contract, strengthening its position in the growing military optical communications market.
Viasat's selection for Phase 2 of the U.S. Space Force's Enterprise Space Terminal (EST) program represents a significant contract win in the competitive military space communications sector. After successfully completing the Preliminary Design Review in Phase 1, the company will now advance to prototype development and testing of their Free Space Optical (FSO) laser communications terminal.
This contract carries strategic importance beyond its immediate revenue implications. The EST program is a foundational component of the Space Force's future communications architecture, supporting their Space Data Network and the creation of a unified space mesh network. By securing this position, Viasat gains a potential foothold in what could become a substantial long-term program.
The technology being developed addresses critical military requirements for high-throughput, secure communications between different satellites and orbits. This intersatellite link capability is increasingly crucial as defense networks become more distributed and resilient against adversary threats.
What makes this particularly valuable is the crossover potential between Viasat's government and commercial businesses. Expertise developed for this military application could potentially enhance Viasat's commercial satellite offerings, creating synergies across its business segments. The contract specifically falls under Viasat's Defense and Advanced Technologies business segment, which is separate from but complementary to its commercial satellite operations.
While financial terms weren't disclosed, the contract reinforces Viasat's diversification strategy beyond traditional satellite services into advanced defense technologies, potentially providing more stable, high-margin revenue streams to complement their commercial business.
Viasat will continue development and testing of a new space optical terminal for crosslink communications between orbits
CARLSBAD, Calif., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced it was selected by the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) for the second phase of its Enterprise Space Terminal (EST) program, which is focused on the prototyping and development of a new optical laser communications terminal that can support military operations through crosslinking and multi-orbit, interoperable communications. This Phase 2 contract award was issued through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) via an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), which aims to accelerate the time to award and development of next-generation space technologies.
Under the company’s Defense and Advanced Technologies (DAT) business segment, Viasat’s Space and Mission Systems team completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for its Free Space Optical (FSO) space terminal during Phase 1. In Phase 2, Viasat’s team will mature the solution design, and develop and complete initial testing of a hardware prototype of this next-generation space laser communications terminal. This innovative space laser communications solution will be designed to meet the performance, interoperability and size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) requirements for proliferated on-orbit intersatellite link communications across future space systems.
Commercial development of optical laser terminals under the EST program is a foundational piece of the USSF’s future space communications, supporting the SSC’s broader Space Data Network objectives and the formation of a unified space mesh network using optical laser crosslinks to send information between different satellites and orbits.
“Developing high-throughput, secure optical communications will be a transformational capability for military space operations and the sharing of mission data in real-time across the battlespace,” said Susan Miller, President of Viasat government. “Viasat is excited to continue the development of its next-generation optical communications terminal for the EST program. We believe our deep expertise delivering high-performance, flexible and scalable modems to government customers, combined with our experience creating integrated and interoperable technology solutions for multi-path communications, will enable the timely development of this EST terminal solution. We look forward to working with the SSC to enable future mission operations and warfighters with highly resilient and secure space-based laser communications.”
Visit Viasat’s website to learn more about our expertise in Free Space Optical design solutions, as well as our development of FSO solutions for the tactical edge.
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 LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, and YouTube.
Copyright © 2025 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered in the U.S and in other countries to Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Viasat, Inc. Contacts
Dan Bleier, Public Relations, Viasat Government, +1 (202) 383-5074, daniel.bleier@viasat.com
Lisa Curran/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 (760) 476-2633, IR@viasat.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 the features, benefits, performance and timeliness of Viasat’s design and development of its new Free Space Optical space terminal. 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: risks associated with satellite failures, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in 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; 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.
FAQ
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