The U.S. Space Force awarded Viasat a $115 million initial order to develop a mission operations center for its planned satellite data backbone, advancing its effort to coordinate networks from multiple suppliers.
Space Systems Command (SSC) announced the selection Nov. 5 and identified Golden Dome for America as a partner in the effort. Viasat detailed its assignment Nov. 10. The order falls under an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract with a $450 million ceiling. That figure is the maximum potential contract value, not the amount of work awarded so far. Further task orders remain unconfirmed.
The center is intended to coordinate data transport among satellite providers. SSC said using multiple providers would reduce single points of failure in the planned system. The backbone would carry data as part of the military’s broader Space Data Network.
Viasat said its assignment includes integrating systems in space and on the ground, running network operations and monitoring performance under government direction. SSC said the initial order covers the center’s design, fielding and expansion. Viasat’s work also includes sustaining the system under government direction.
Viasat’s award covers a different part of the backbone from the satellite network assigned to SpaceX. SSC announced a separate $2.29 billion agreement with SpaceX on May 26 for that network. The operations center is intended to coordinate data transport across the providers that make up the planned backbone.
SSC added more suppliers to the effort in August, selecting Amazon LEO for Government, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab and York Space Systems for work connecting vendor networks. The command said common interfaces would reduce reliance on any one supplier.
Under the May agreement, SpaceX is due to bring a backbone prototype to full operational capability by the end of 2027.
