Rocket Lab USA, Inc. ( RKLB ) shares are trading higher on Thursday.

Today, the company was selected by ViaSat, Inc. ( VSAT ) to support its hybrid space communications networks demonstrations by producing a spacecraft bus and providing mission operation support.

The demonstrations will showcase ViaSat’s array of multi-band, space-based relay communication services for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions. These services offer enhanced data management, reduced latency, and increased real-time throughput.

The demonstrations are part of ViaSat’s work across two awards, totaling $80 million, under NASA’s Communications Services Project (CSP).

The Rocket Lab spacecraft will provide the power, communications, propulsion, and attitude control for the mission demonstration. 

Rocket Lab will incorporate its own satellite components and sub-systems into the spacecraft, including star trackers, reaction wheels, solar panels, S-band radios, flight software, and ground software, and the new L-band radio in development for the future InCommand service.

Rocket Lab Vice President of Space Systems, Brad Clevenger, said, “By providing a configurable platform that can be tailored to suit even the most complex missions, our customers can focus on their own novel hardware and services and leave the development and operation of the spacecraft to us.” 

Scheduled to launch in early 2026, the demonstration mission will also include direct-to-ground communications through Viasat’s Real-Time Earth (RTE) Ground-Station-as-a-Service for S-, X-, and Ka-bands. 

“We are proud to support NASA with this critically needed real-time space relay communications capability and excited about our continuing partnership with Rocket Lab to support ViaSat’s growing space missions portfolio,” said Michael Maughan, Vice President of Space and Mission Systems, ViaSat Government Systems.

Price Action: RKLB shares are trading higher by 2.67% to $4.41 on the last check Thursday, while VSAT shares are trading higher by 3.99% to $19.29.