Key Takeaways
- Shares of Viasat climbed over 10% on Tuesday, reaching $81.92—a level not seen in nearly seven years
- A combined $437.7 million Space Force contract was secured by Viasat and a collaborator for the PTS-G satellite initiative
- The company’s SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) aviation platform has achieved installation across 1,000 aircraft
- Year-over-year SB-S adoption has expanded at a 42% average annual rate, with projections targeting 1,200 aircraft by late 2026
- Year-to-date gains for VSAT have reached 118%, with Tuesday marking a fresh 52-week peak
Shares of Viasat (VSAT) experienced a substantial rally on Tuesday, climbing more than 10% to touch $81.92—the highest level in approximately seven years. The surge came as investors digested two major announcements delivered on the same trading day.
The first development centered on a significant defense contract. The U.S. Space Force granted Viasat and a collaborating partner a combined $437.7 million award to deliver space vehicles for the Protected Tactical Satellite-Global (PTS-G) initiative. The agreement encompasses design work and demonstration support extending through March 2029, overseen by the Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
The award followed a competitive bidding procedure.
Simultaneously, Viasat revealed significant progress in its aviation division. The company disclosed that its SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) platform has now been deployed across 1,000 aircraft worldwide. This achievement represents a significant benchmark, with the technology experiencing average yearly adoption growth of 42%.
SB-S functions as an IP-enabled satellite communication platform designed specifically for aviation applications. The system facilitates direct connectivity between aircraft cockpits and both air traffic controllers and ground-based operations teams.
“This milestone underscores the excitement for SB-S as airlines continue to look for proven, certified connectivity to improve flight safety and operational performance,” said Joel Klooster, Senior Vice President, Aircraft Operations & Safety at Viasat.
Klooster added that the service is “building a durable base of long-term value for both our aviation customers, and for Viasat.”
Dual Catalysts Drive Market Momentum
The simultaneous release of both developments amplified the market’s response. Viasat has established a goal of surpassing 1,200 aircraft equipped with SB-S by year-end 2026. Based on current momentum, this objective appears achievable.
The SB-S technology also serves as the foundation for Iris, an air traffic management initiative developed alongside the European Space Agency. This partnership extends the platform’s influence beyond traditional commercial aviation applications.
Additional investor interest was generated by NASA’s Moon Base event, conducted Tuesday at 2:00 PM ET. Given Viasat’s satellite infrastructure capabilities relevant to space communication initiatives, the timing proved beneficial for market sentiment.
Year of Strong Performance for VSAT
Viasat has delivered impressive returns in 2025, posting year-to-date gains of 118% as of Tuesday’s close. The session also established a new 52-week high for the shares.
Looking at recent trading patterns, VSAT has registered 67 separate movements exceeding 5% over the past twelve months. Such price swings reflect the stock’s inherent volatility profile. Within this framework, Tuesday’s advance was significant but consistent with historical behavior.
For longer-term perspective: an investment of $1,000 in Viasat five years ago would have grown to approximately $1,650 today.
The Space Force agreement provides revenue visibility extending to March 2029. This creates a multi-year foundation on the defense contracting side, while the SB-S platform maintains its expansion trajectory throughout commercial aviation markets.
