K2 Space, Rocket Lab win key supplier roles in Space Force satcom program
SpaceNews • • business
Key Points:
- K2 Space and Rocket Lab have been selected as key suppliers for the U.S. Space Force's Protected Tactical Satcom-Global (PTS-G) program, providing satellite platforms for SES and spacecraft buses for Viasat, respectively.
- SES and Viasat were awarded contracts worth $437.7 million each to build and operate military communications satellites expected to enter service in 2029.
- PTS-G aims to enhance military communications resilience using commercially derived geostationary satellites operating in X-band and military Ka-band frequencies, designed to withstand electronic warfare and jamming.
- The satellites will use a transponded architecture to relay signals between users and ground stations without onboard processing, maintaining compatibility with existing military systems.
- The broader PTS-G program has a $4 billion ceiling with plans for additional satellite orders from 2028, involving other companies such as Astranis, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman.