Key facts
- Endeavor Optical Networks (EON) is developing a space-based laser communication network for data centers.
- The startup aims to provide an alternative to undersea fiber optic cables for high-bandwidth data transfer.
- EON has raised $10.75 million in seed funding from General Catalyst and Andreessen Horowitz.
- The company plans to launch a demo satellite by late 2027 with a target throughput of at least 800 Gbps.
- EON's initial network goal is 2.4 terabits per second, significantly faster than most current satellite internet.
- Target customers include hyperscalers and AI labs, focusing on underserved or expensive data routes.
As hyperscalers expand their global data center footprints, the need for robust and high-bandwidth data transfer solutions is paramount. Current reliance on undersea fiber optic cables presents challenges due to their fragility and difficulty in maintenance. Endeavor Optical Networks (EON), a startup emerging from stealth, aims to address this by developing a network of laser-equipped satellites to create a space-based data superhighway.
EON has secured $10.75 million in seed funding from investors including General Catalyst and Andreessen Horowitz. The company's plan involves launching approximately 20 satellites, each capable of providing dedicated intercontinental links. This approach seeks to offer speeds comparable to or exceeding undersea fiber, which can reach 200 terabits per second or more. While previous satellite laser communication demonstrations have achieved much lower throughputs, EON is targeting 2.4 terabits per second initially, with a demo satellite planned for late 2027 aiming for at least 800 Gbps.
A key challenge for EON is overcoming atmospheric interference that can distort laser signals, particularly in cloudy conditions. The company plans to leverage proprietary technology to mitigate these issues. EON intends to serve hyperscalers and AI labs, focusing on routes that are currently underserved or expensive, such as connections between France and Australia, or Africa and South America. The startup will sell dedicated capacity, offering customers full control over their data transit.
Funding will be used to establish an optics lab, hire engineers, and conduct ground tests. EON plans to utilize off-the-shelf satellite buses and focus its development on critical components like the optical communications terminal and gimbals. The technical team includes co-founder and CTO Tyler Presser, an astronautical engineer, along with former Google and Amazon executives. Competitors like Blue Origin are also developing ambitious satellite networks, but EON's smaller fleet is positioned for quicker deployment. Industry observers note the challenges in meeting data centers' high standards for quality and redundancy with satellite internet, though the market demand is seen as strong.