IonQ’s Skyloom Optical Communications Terminals Reach 84 On-Orbit Installations Following Latest Launch

Insider BriefPress release – Skyloom Global, LLC, an IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) company specializing in the development of space-based optical technology for secure, high-performance communications, today announced that dozens of additional optical communication terminals (OCTs) have been successfully deployed on orbit. The OCTs were aboard York Space Systems satellites supporting the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).The satellites equipped with the company’s optical technology were launched July 16, 2026, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. This latest installation builds on the previous OCTs launched during SDA’s first Tranche 1 mission in September 2025, resulting in several dozen OCTs on orbit. This significant achievement represents one of the largest operational lasercomm payload footprints in low-Earth orbit.“We’re proud to continue supporting SDA with proven, U.S.-built optical communications technology at scale,” said IonQ’s President of Quantum Platform, Jordan Shapiro. “This milestone reflects years of focused industrialization and our commitment to strengthening the nation’s space-based communications infrastructure. As space networking evolves toward higher-throughput optical architectures, our proven OCTs provide the backbone for the resilient, data-rich mesh networks that will define the next era of space connectivity.”With the second deployment of space vehicles equipped with OCTs, and the third deployment of Transport Layer Tranche 1 space vehicles overall, SDA moves closer to completion of the Tranche 1 PWSA Transport Layer constellation. These spacecraft are designed to provide high-throughput, low-latency, mission-enabling communications essential to national defense, all interoperable with SDA’s OCT standards.TopicsShare Get the latest research, company news, and market intelligence every week. MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLESkyloom Global develops and operates an optical data relay infrastructure in space to provide high-capacity laser-based telecommunications services. It builds optical communications terminals, relay satellites, and ground stations to support low latency, high bandwidth data transport between satellites and Earth, targeting constellations and spaceborne data infrastructure.IonQ is a developer in trapped ion quantum computing founded in 2015 that actively applies its technology to the aerospace and defense sectors. The company empowers satellite-based quantum networks and quantum enabled drones to improve positioning, navigation, and timing resilience in GPS denied environments, and collaborates with industry leaders like Airbus to optimize aircraft loading.More in Research The Quantum Insider (TQI) is the leading source for the latest quantum technology news, market intelligence, industry analysis, and data covering the global quantum ecosystem. NEWSROOMPLATFORMSERVICESCOMPANY© 2026 The Quantum Insider. All rights reserved. Part of the Resonance networkOne of our team will be in touch to learn more about your requirements, and provide pricing and access options.Subscribe to our industry leading leading newsletter for the latest in quantum news and insights. Necessary cookies are always on to ensure the website works. Optional cookies help us understand how the site is used. Privacy Policy