Space Lasers to Connect Global Data Centers

A new venture, Endeavor Optical Networks (EON), is emerging with a plan to establish a network of laser-equipped satellites for intercontinental data center connectivity. Founded in May, EON has announced $10.75 million in seed funding from General Catalyst and Andreessen Horowitz to pursue this goal.

The startup aims to bridge the gap left by undersea fiberoptic cables, which are challenging to repair and install. EON's network intends to provide data transmission speeds comparable to existing fiber, a significant leap beyond current satellite broadband capabilities.

Led by CEO Charlie Horowitz and CTO Tyler Presser, EON plans to deploy approximately 20 satellites. Each satellite will offer a dedicated link between continents, with the initial fleet providing continuous coverage. The company will strategically select ground stations, leveraging weather data for optimal reliability.

EON is targeting hyperscalers and AI labs, major data consumers, for its services. The network will focus on underserved or expensive routes, such as France to Australia, and connections between Africa and South America. Customers will be offered dedicated capacity for full transit control.

The seed funding will be utilized to establish an optics lab, expand the engineering team, and conduct ground tests. A demonstration satellite, projected to achieve at least 800 Gbps or even 1 terabit downlink throughput, is targeted for launch around the end of 2027.

EON's approach focuses on engineering a high-performance optical communications terminal, utilizing off-the-shelf satellite buses. The company aims to overcome atmospheric distortion challenges inherent in laser communications.

This venture enters a competitive landscape, with entities like Blue Origin also planning ambitious satellite networks. However, EON's smaller scale might allow for quicker deployment, provided they can surmount the technical hurdles of reliable satellite data center connectivity.