Laser Light launches search for prime contractor to build high-capacity optical satellite network

After seven years in stealth incubation by the US Department of Defense and US technology administrations, Laser Light Holdings has begun the search for a prime contractor and suppliers to support its High Articulation Laser Optical (HALO) satellite constellation.

Speaking at World Space Business Week 2026 in Paris, chairman and CEO Robert Brumley said the company has launched a request for information (RFI) process.

The HALO optical satellite constellation is intending to move 100 gigabits-per-second from space to ground across 12 medium Earth orbit satellites.

Laser Light opens RFI process for Optical Satellite Constellation

“This RFI marks the final stage in bringing Laser Light’s validated architecture to market, said Robert Brumley.

“With key patents approved, our ground, subsea, compute, and storage assets under contract and expanding, and StarBeam orchestration software in development, we are positioned to deliver an industry-first, multi-domain global data ecosystem – built to meet the communications demands of the AI era at the global, regional, and edge levels.”

Seven years in stealth developing its technology

At the press event in Paris, Brumley explained the company had spent seven years in stealth developing its technology in conversation with the Department of Defence. The company had been expanding its ground network since 2022, supported by US Government’s Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).

Brumley confirmed that part of the RFI included selecting a ground station operator but acknowledged, “There is not a ground station operator that we don’t have under an NDA now.”

Laser Light plans to own critical ground infrastructure

He also qualified that Laser Light’s goal was to own the ground infrastructure they were looking for.

Laser Light, formerly Laser Light Communications. In 2012, Laser Light announced it had just finished a process of commercialising T-Sat, meaning transformational satellite, and would go on to validate the IP to develop into an advanced spacetech company, which it performed under the radar with an array of US Government actors.

“We are going to pick a prime, the idea being they would pick the [satellite] bus, recommend the optical systems, and be involved with the ground stations,” Brumley told attendees.

“We’re doing this like a government program, which allows us to rely on the industry knowledge of the industry partner.”

Operational “within 30-36 months of an order”

Brumley estimated the system would become operational within 30-36 months of an order.

Asked if Laser Light was ready for the raw volume of data that the hyperscaler ODC operators were seeking to work with, he answered: “The capacity that we validated under the CRADA (Cooperative
research and development agreement) was 33 terabits of capacity.

“It’s been ten years since we validated that, and there were a fraction of the optical developes that we have today. Our optimum is 180 terabits.

“No satellite company today is carrier grade. What we’re planning to build will be,” he added.