Viasat News

Breaking Defense

High activity

Viasat wins Space Force contract worth up to $450 million for Space Data Network operations center

The U.S. Space Force selected Viasat under an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to design, field and scale a Mission Operations Center for the Space Data Network Backbone. The center is intended to support operations of the service’s satellite data relay network; the award has a maximum value of $450 million.

Space Intel Report

Viasat expects Viasat-3 satellites to boost broadband markets as Equatys direct-to-device JV awaits regulatory review

Viasat is looking to its Viasat-3 satellites to energize its broadband markets, while its Equatys direct-to-device joint venture remains pending regulatory review. The update links the company’s satellite broadband ambitions with a separate venture whose progress depends on regulatory clearance.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

NASA funds Ka-band relay concepts as SES tests optical links, SSC Space expands ground services and ITU rules on satellite deadl

NASA selected Viasat, SES and Astranis to develop Ka-band relay concepts that can serve existing spacecraft without onboard modifications, while SES reported a two-way optical link demonstration between ground and space. Separately, SSC Space and ArkEdge agreed on ground services, and ITU rulings addressed deadline extensions for satellite programs in Korea, Thailand and Oman.

AINonline

Viasat aims to simplify satellite communications plans with published manufacturer prices

Viasat says publishing manufacturers’ suggested retail prices will make satellite communications service plans easier to compare. The available report does not specify which products or plans are covered, or how the pricing approach will affect customers and service providers.

Bloomberg

High activity

SpaceX’s spectrum purchase is only a first step toward a US mobile network

SpaceX has described its multibillion-dollar US airwaves purchase as a critical step in building a mobile service, but the deal alone does not put it on equal footing with major carriers. A competitive terrestrial network would require years of work and billions in additional investment, adding to the capital demands on the company.

Via Satellite

Viasat orders ALL.SPACE Hydra MAX terminals for multi-orbit government connectivity

Viasat Government has ordered multiple ALL.SPACE Hydra MAX terminals for government and defense users needing connectivity on the move. The terminals can transmit across multiple satellite links simultaneously and are approved for Viasat’s global NextGen Ka-band network, including military Ka-band.

CNBC

High activity

Analysts weigh SpaceX’s wireless push against AST SpaceMobile’s launch risks and carrier competition

SpaceX’s planned acquisition of up to 14 MHz of paired 800-MHz spectrum from Grain Management has sharpened investor focus on its satellite-to-phone ambitions. Piper Sandler downgraded AST SpaceMobile to Neutral and cut its price target to $54 from $98, citing deployment uncertainty in 2026–27; Bernstein also downgraded AT&T over SpaceX competition.

SpaceWatch Global

High activity

Satellite Connect Europe files for 344-satellite direct-to-device network backed by Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile

Satellite Connect Europe has filed with the International Telecommunication Union for a 344-satellite constellation designed to provide direct-to-device connectivity across Europe. The network is backed by Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile, signaling a potential expansion of satellite-enabled mobile services in the region.