TLDR
- IonQ announced a definitive agreement to acquire Skyloom Global, a provider of optical communications infrastructure for space applications
- The deal adds high-bandwidth optical link technology that could boost data throughput by up to 500% and reduce latency from hours to under one hour
- Skyloom has delivered nearly 90 Optical Communications Terminals for Space Development Agency missions through 2025
- This acquisition follows IonQ’s recent purchases of Qubitekk, Capella Space, Lightsynq, ID Quantique, Oxford Ionics, and Vector Atomic
- IonQ raised its 2025 revenue outlook to $110 million and has raised $3.5 billion this year, with $2 billion in the past six weeks
IonQ shares climbed 2.5% on Monday after the quantum computing company announced plans to acquire Skyloom Global. The deal adds optical communications infrastructure to IonQ’s growing quantum platform.
Skyloom specializes in building Optical Communications Terminals for satellite-to-satellite and satellite-to-ground laser communications. The company was founded in 2017 and operates a facility in Colorado.
The acquisition will integrate Skyloom’s high-performance optical link technology into IonQ’s quantum-secure communications system. The company says this integration could increase data throughput by up to 500%.
Latency for critical applications could drop from many hours to under one hour. Skyloom has been working on U.S. space missions in both low and high Earth orbits.
The company is on track to deliver nearly 90 terminals for Space Development Agency missions by 2025. These terminals handle large data transfers at high speeds between satellites and ground stations.
Building a Full-Stack Platform
After the deal closes, Skyloom CEO Marc Eisenberg will report to Frank Backes, President of Quantum Infrastructure at IonQ. The transaction requires standard regulatory approvals before completion.
IonQ Chairman and CEO Niccolò de Masi said the acquisition accelerates the company’s global quantum platform by adding high-bandwidth optical link capabilities. These optical links serve as the backbone for quantum-secure communications and next-generation quantum networking.
The company has been assembling a full-stack quantum-secure communications platform through multiple acquisitions. Earlier deals brought in Qubitekk for quantum links and ID Quantique for cryptographic tools and sensors.
IonQ acquired Oxford Ionics for approximately $1.1 billion. The company also purchased Lightsynq for photonic units and quantum memory work.
Capella Space joined the portfolio to support space-based quantum links. Vector Atomic added navigation tools to the mix.
Revenue Growth and Market Position
IonQ raised its 2025 revenue outlook to $110 million. The company has doubled its revenue each year since going public in 2021.
The firm raised about $3.5 billion this year. Around $2 billion of that capital came in during the past six weeks.
IonQ announced new partnerships with EPB in Chattanooga and the University of Chicago. These collaborations support quantum computing and secure communications infrastructure in the United States.
Skyloom’s space data flow capabilities expand IonQ’s reach across land, air, sea, and space. The optical terminals help build quantum networks that span multiple environments.
Analysts maintain a Strong Buy consensus rating on IonQ stock. The average price target sits at $76.86, representing a 61.03% upside from current levels.
De Masi discussed the Skyloom acquisition on CNBC earlier this week. He outlined plans to build a comprehensive platform combining quantum computing, secure communications, and sensor technology.
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