Rivada Space Networks wants to build its ‘outernet’, a laser-linked satellite constellation that is free from the risk of hacking or interference. But SpaceX, in its IPO prospectus, said its fleet has a growing number of laser-linked satellites.

SpaceX, in its May 20th Prospectus, says: “As of March 31, 2026, our constellation already incorporated over 23,000 inter-satellite lasers that create a dynamic mesh network in space, enabling traffic to route through orbit rather than relying solely on terrestrial backhaul infrastructure.”

This statement sounds rather like Rivada’s concept. “Not so,” says Rivada. “Starlink is and remains a gateway-bound, level 3 internet access network. It connects its user terminals to an internet gateway. In other words, it is a last mile solution, albeit one that happens to be in LEO. It uses lasers to extend the reach of that “last mile,” but that doesn’t change the network design in any fundamental way.”

Rivada’s Brian Carney, VP/SVP Corporate Communications, continued: “The Outernet is not last mile Internet connectivity. It is not Internet connectivity at all. It is designed for use cases in which the customer needs or wants to control both ends of the data path, instead of just one. That’s why there are no gateways on the Outernet. Starlink is great at providing decent LEO Internet access at an affordable price point. If you want secure end to end global connectivity that does not traverse the public internet, you can’t get it from Starlink, no matter how many lasers they put on their satellites. If you want symmetrical or reverse asymmetric data rates, you also have to look elsewhere. If you want committed information rates instead of best effort, you need to look elsewhere. If you want any–or all–of those things, you need The Outernet.”

However, Rivada’s ITU obligatory launch clock is no longer the threat it once was. Rivada is now licensed by the German frequency regulator (and not the previous Liechtenstein rights). The original requirement to deploy 144 satellites by June 2026, and an additional 144 satellites by September 2026 are no longer in place.

There is – as yet – no news on the project’s financing.

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Categories: Articles, Broadband, Satellite

Tags: rivada, spacex