US Space Force Taps Viasat to Build the Space Data Network Backbone Control Center for Golden Dome

The US Space Force's Space Systems Command awarded Viasat an indefinite-delivery contract worth up to $450 million for the Space Data Network Backbone mission operations centre, including an initial $115 million task order. Viasat will design and integrate network-management capabilities, support operations and sustainment, and provide a common picture of network health across participating space and ground services. The multi-vendor backbone is intended to deliver resilient, high-capacity, low-latency communications for Space Force, Joint Force and Golden Dome missions. The award concerns integration and management of data transport rather than procurement of a new missile interceptor or satellite constellation.