U.S. Space Force Awards $437 Million Contracts to Viasat and SES for Military Satellite Network
The U.S. Space Force has awarded contracts worth a total of $437.6 million to satellite operators Viasat and SES. These contracts are part of the Protected Tactical Satcom-Global (PTS-G) program, which aims to enhance U.S. military communications by deploying smaller, commercially-based satellites in geostationary orbit. The initiative is designed to create a resilient network capable of withstanding jamming and cyber attacks. The first batch of satellites, referred to as 'Swarm 1,' will include four spacecraft, with Viasat and SES each responsible for building two. These satellites are expected to be delivered by March 2029. The PTS-G program's architecture involves distributing communication capabilities across multiple smaller satellites, ensuring that the loss of a single satellite does not disrupt coverage across a region. The satellites will support X-band and military Ka-band communications, which are commonly used in military operations. 
