This Phase 2 contract award was made through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) via an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), aimed at accelerating the development of next-generation space technologies. The contract will see Viasat continue its work on a new space optical terminal capable of facilitating communications between satellites in different orbits.
During Phase 1 of the EST program, Viasat’s Space and Mission Systems team, operating under the company’s Defense and Advanced Technologies (DAT) segment, completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for its Free Space Optical (FSO) space terminal. Phase 2 will involve advancing the solution’s design and initiating testing of a hardware prototype for the next-generation space laser communications terminal.
The proposed space laser communication system aims to meet rigorous performance, interoperability, and SWaP-C (size, weight, power, and cost) requirements. It is intended to support proliferated on-orbit intersatellite link communications within future space systems, forming a crucial element of the USSF’s future space communications architecture.
Commercial development of these optical laser terminals under the EST program supports the SSC’s broader Space Data Network goals. The aim is to create a unified space mesh network that uses optical laser crosslinks to relay information between satellites and orbits.
“Developing high-throughput, secure optical communications will be a transformational capability for military space operations and the sharing of mission data in real-time across the battlespace,” said Susan Miller, President of Viasat government. “Viasat is excited to continue the development of its next-generation optical communications terminal for the EST program. We believe our deep expertise delivering high-performance, flexible, and scalable modems to government customers, combined with our experience creating integrated and interoperable technology solutions for multi-path communications, will enable the timely development of this EST terminal solution. We look forward to working with the SSC to enable future mission operations and warfighters with highly resilient and secure space-based laser communications.”
