Startup EON aims to replace undersea cables with orbital laser links
Endeavor Optical Networks (EON) has emerged from stealth with seed funding to build a constellation of laser-equipped satellites that could carry terabit-scale data between continents, offering an alternative to fragile undersea fiber.
Endeavor Optical Networks, a newly announced startup led by Charlie Horowitz and Tyler Presser, raised over $10 million in seed capital to pursue space-based laser communications as a substitute for the aging network of undersea fiberoptic cables. Their vision involves a constellation of roughly 20 satellites, each delivering a dedicated terabit-per-second link between continents, with the first demo satellite slated for launch around the end of 2027.
By selecting ground stations across key regions and employing redundant sites plus real-time weather analytics, EON hopes to overcome atmospheric interference that traditionally hampers laser links. The firm is courting hyperscalers and AI research labs for early contracts, focusing on routes that are either extremely long or underserved by existing fiber. Engineering efforts will concentrate on high-precision optical terminals and gimbal systems, while leveraging off-the-shelf satellite buses from Apex Space. Competitors such as Blue Origin’s TeraWave project are pursuing similar goals, but EON’s smaller fleet may reach orbit more quickly, though both face significant technical hurdles.
Why it matters
If successful, EON could provide faster, more resilient global data transport, reducing reliance on vulnerable undersea cables.
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