Rocket Lab Joins Space Force Data Network Consortium With $12M in Optical Comms Orders

Rocket Lab has been onboarded into the U.S. Space Force's Space Data Network Consortium and awarded two delivery orders worth a combined $12 million to support the Space Data Network Backbone program. The awards task the company with demonstrating interoperability of secure optical communications in space, expanding vendor diversity for the military's global satellite communications effort.

The Space Data Network Consortium, managed by Space Systems Command, brings together industry to design and deploy a resilient satellite communications architecture. The network is intended to enable secure, real-time global communications supporting U.S. military operations across air, land, sea, and space. The SDN-B program is a cornerstone of the broader Space Data Network initiative, which aims to deliver low-latency, high-capacity data transport for the Joint Force.

Under the delivery orders, Rocket Lab will support development of the SDN Backbone, including the design, testing, and demonstration of technologies that enable communication between satellites and ground systems. The company will conduct an in-orbit demonstration using a Rocket Lab-built Photon spacecraft equipped with optical and network capabilities to demonstrate interoperability. Rocket Lab is expected to deliver an operational demonstration for the SDN-B program in 2027.

Rocket Lab's onboarding is part of the Space Force's NITE-STAR program, valued at $981 million, which advances space test and training infrastructure. The company said its inclusion reflects expertise in end-to-end space systems spanning satellite manufacturing, launch services, and on-orbit operations. The $12 million in delivery orders positions the company for potential future opportunities to support the Space Force's communications infrastructure.

"Rocket Lab is honored to join the U.S. Space Force's Space Data Network Consortium and to contribute to the development of this critical communications infrastructure," said Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO. "This represents a significant opportunity to leverage Rocket Lab's vertically integrated capabilities to help ensure seamless interoperability and global connectivity for the Joint Force."

The award expands vendor diversity within a network whose core infrastructure was built by SpaceX. Rocket Lab's role calls for its Photon spacecraft to test interoperability with the SDN's core systems, a step that broadens the pool of suppliers contributing to the architecture of U.S. military space communications.

The next milestone is the in-orbit interoperability demonstration, planned for 2027, when Rocket Lab is expected to deliver an operational demonstration for the SDN-B program.