Viasat Selected by U.S. Space Force for Phase 2 of Enterprise Space Terminal Program

Rhea-AI Summary

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.

Positive

• 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

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Technology Analyst

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

What is the significance of Viasat's Phase 2 EST program contract with U.S. Space Force?

The contract enables Viasat to develop and test a prototype optical laser communications terminal for military operations, supporting crosslinking and multi-orbit communications between satellites.

What technology is Viasat (VSAT) developing for the Space Force's EST program?

Viasat is developing a Free Space Optical (FSO) space terminal - an optical laser communications system designed for intersatellite link communications across space systems.

How will Viasat's optical communications terminal benefit military operations?

The terminal will enable high-throughput, secure optical communications for real-time data sharing across the battlespace through a unified space mesh network using optical laser crosslinks.

What is the current status of Viasat's EST program development?

Viasat has completed the Preliminary Design Review in Phase 1 and is now entering Phase 2 to mature the solution design and develop a hardware prototype.