Space Force Awards Viasat Up to $450 Million for Golden Dome Satellite Network Operations Center
On November 5, 2026, Viasat was contracted by the United States Space Force to provide a Mission Operations Center (MOC) for the Space Data Network (SDN) Backbone, a satellite communications effort for the U.S. military, which is anticipated to benefit the Pentagon's Golden Dome missile defense system program. The contract worth up to $450 million has an initial task order of $115 million. Source: Space Systems Command coverage by Via Satellite.
Viasat to Coordinate Multiple Satellite Networks
Under the terms of the contract, Viasat will be the integration partner for the network and mission systems, combining mission integration, network operations, and management of data transport through multiple satellite operators.
The Mission Operations Center will function as an integrator, providing assistance to various satellite constellations and ground systems in the transfer of information through a networked platform. This is expected to provide military customers with enhanced secure, resilient and high capacity communications services. Source: DefenseScoop
How the Space Data Network Supports Golden Dome
The Space Data Network Backbone is being developed as a high-speed, low-latency communications infrastructure linking military satellites, space-based sensors, ground stations and operational platforms.
Its role is to move information between different systems so that military decision-makers can receive and act on data more quickly. For Golden Dome, the network is expected to help connect missile-warning and tracking sensors with defensive systems, supporting the broader effort to detect, track and respond to incoming threats. Source: Breaking Defense
SpaceX and Other Contractors Are Building the Network
Viasat’s award is part of a broader initiative that involves multiple companies in the creation of the Space Data Network. SpaceX secured another $2.29 billion contract in May 2026 to design the SDN Backbone, with a demonstration prototype planned for the end of 2027.
In addition to Viasat, the U.S. Space Force has contracted various companies such as Amazon LEO for Government, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab, and York Space Systems to test connections across various satellite and terrestrial networks. Source: Reuters
Building a More Connected Military Space Architecture
The aim of the Viasat contract is to tackle one of the most important problems associated with the use of space for military purposes: how to enable efficient communication between satellites and systems created by various manufacturers.
The operations center would help manage networking, data processing, and routing according to mission requirements. If the technology were developed, it would improve the communications network used by Golden Dome and other U.S. military missions. Source: Breaking Defense
Author: Kevin Macmellon
