Viasat (VSAT) Stock Soars 10%+ on Major Space Force Deal and Aviation Breakthrough

Key Takeaways

• Shares of Viasat climbed over 10% on Tuesday, touching a nearly 7-year peak of $81.92
• A combined $437.7 million contract from the U.S. Space Force was awarded to Viasat and a collaborator for the PTS-G satellite initiative
• The company’s SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) platform now serves 1,000 aircraft globally
• SB-S installations have increased at an average annual pace of 42%, with the company aiming for 1,200 aircraft by the close of 2026
• Year-to-date gains stand at 118%, with shares reaching a fresh 52-week peak Tuesday

Shares of Viasat (VSAT) rallied over 10% during Tuesday’s trading session, climbing to a nearly 7-year high of $81.92, fueled by a pair of major announcements released on the same day.

Viasat, Inc., VSAT

The first development involved a substantial $437.7 million award from the U.S. Space Force. Viasat, alongside a partner company, secured the contract to deliver space vehicles for the Protected Tactical Satellite-Global (PTS-G) initiative. The scope of work encompasses design operations and demonstration assistance extending through March 2029, overseen by the Space Systems Command located at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

The award followed a competitive bidding procedure.

The second announcement centered on the company’s aviation division. Viasat revealed that its SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) platform has now been deployed across 1,000 aircraft worldwide. This represents a significant achievement the company has been pursuing, with installations expanding at an average annual rate of 42%.

SB-S operates as an IP-based satellite communication solution designed specifically for aviation applications. The system enables direct connectivity between cockpits and both air traffic control facilities and ground operations teams.

Dual Catalysts Drive Investor Enthusiasm

The simultaneous release of both announcements created amplified momentum for the shares. Viasat has established a goal of exceeding 1,200 aircraft equipped with SB-S by the conclusion of 2026. Based on the existing trajectory of installations, this objective appears achievable.

The SB-S technology also supports Iris, an air traffic control modernization initiative developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency. This partnership extends the platform’s influence beyond traditional commercial aviation markets.

Investor sentiment also benefited from NASA’s Moon Base presentation, which took place Tuesday at 2:00 PM ET. Given Viasat’s satellite infrastructure capabilities relevant to space communication initiatives, the event’s timing resonated with market participants monitoring the stock.

Exceptional Year-to-Date Performance for VSAT

Viasat shares have climbed 118% since the beginning of January. The stock established a new 52-week high during Tuesday’s session.

Throughout the past year, VSAT has experienced 67 price movements exceeding 5%. This level of volatility is characteristic of the equity. Within this framework, Tuesday’s advance was significant yet consistent with the stock’s typical behavior.

To provide perspective on the longer-term trajectory: an investor who allocated $1,000 to Viasat five years ago would currently hold approximately $1,650.

The Space Force agreement extends through March 2029, establishing a multi-year revenue stream from government contracts, while the SB-S platform maintains its expansion within commercial aviation markets.

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