Vega Group plc won a five-year contract extension from Serco Group plc to continue providing technical support for the Skynet military satellite communications program, Vega announced June 29.

The $3.4 million contract covers existing Skynet 4 satellites as well as the Skynet 5 satellites, the first of which is scheduled to be launched before the end of 2006. The contract includes analyzing satellite data as well as planning and preparing maneuvers.

Serco holds a subcontract from Paradigm Services Ltd., which oversees the Skynet program for the U.K. Ministry of Defence.