The Space Force has awarded Viasat a competitive IDIQ contract valued at $450 million to support the Space Data Network Backbone program. The company will design and field a mission operations center to integrate network and mission systems across multi-vendor satellite constellations under an initial $115 million task order.
What's happening
- Viasat received a competitive IDIQ contract worth up to $450 million from Space Force Space Systems Command for Space Data Network Backbone support.
- An initial task order valued at $115 million tasks Viasat with designing and fielding a mission operations center to integrate network operations and mission systems.
- The MOC will orchestrate mission systems across multiple satellite constellations and providers, supporting the Golden Dome missile defense architecture and joint force connectivity.
Why it matters
- The SDN Backbone is a multi-orbit, multi-vendor satellite architecture combining military-owned and commercial payloads to provide high-speed data transport and tactical communications across the joint force.
- As the central integration hub, Viasat's MOC becomes critical infrastructure for real-time priority routing and dynamic data management across the Defense Department's space-based networks.
- The Space Data Network supports the Pentagon's broader modernization priorities, including Golden Dome missile defense and resilient connectivity across air, land, sea and space domains.
Going deeper
- SpaceX was awarded a separate $2.3 billion contract in 2026 to deliver a fully operational SDN backbone prototype by the end of 2027.
- In August 2026, the Space Force selected Amazon LEO for Government, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab and York Space Systems to demonstrate cross-vendor data transport and develop space exchange point payloads.
- The MOC will manage data transport, network operations and mission integration across a growing multi-vendor architecture under Space-Based Sensing and Targeting portfolio.
Financial impact
- The initial $115 million task order represents obligated revenue for fiscal 2026 and forward, with performance extending into 2027 based on design and fielding milestones.
- The remaining $335 million of the $450 million IDIQ ceiling represents potential future revenue subject to additional task order issuance, timing not disclosed.
- Revenue recognition will occur as Viasat delivers design, development, integration and fielding of the mission operations center across the performance period.
The fine print
- The contract was awarded on a competitive basis, indicating other bidders participated in the selection process.
- The Space Force did not disclose the geographic location where the mission operations center will be built or operated.
- The $450 million IDIQ ceiling value differs from the $115 million initial task order; future task orders and their values are not yet determined.
Source: defensescoop.com · Nov 6, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.
