Archangel Lightworks

Archangel Lightworks is a space technology firm established to address critical vulnerabilities in global network infrastructure. Founded in 2017 by Dan Sola, the company is now led by CEO Richard Johanson and CTO Owain Pryce-Jones. Dan Sola, who now serves as Chairman, has a background in high-impact aerospace projects, including long-endurance solar aircraft, and founded Archangel Aerospace in 2010. Richard Johanson joined in 2019 and was appointed CEO in March 2021, bringing experience from previous roles in technology and consulting.

The company is positioned in the satellite and aerospace communications market, targeting both commercial and governmental clients that require high-volume, secure data transmission. Its business model centers on the development and sale of laser communication (lasercom) hardware designed to create robust links between space and terrestrial networks. This approach directly confronts the limitations of current infrastructure, such as the bandwidth constraints of radio frequency links and the physical risks to subsea cables. By focusing on lasercom, Archangel Lightworks provides a more secure, high-capacity alternative for data transfer.

The core product is the TERRA-M, a miniature optical ground station approximately the size of a mini-fridge. This product is engineered to significantly reduce the size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) of ground equipment, making space-to-ground lasercom more accessible. A key benefit of the TERRA-M is its ability to transfer large amounts of license-free data with a low probability of detection and interception, enhancing data security. Its deployable nature offers resilient connectivity for applications ranging from economic inclusion to climate change monitoring. The firm has received support from entities like the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency and has participated in the Starburst Accelerator. In February 2023, Archangel Lightworks secured £4 million in a seed funding round led by Oxford Science Enterprises to expand its team and advance space-ground demonstrations of the TERRA-M.

Keywords: laser communications, space-ground connectivity, optical ground station, TERRA-M, satellite communications, free-space optical communication, aerospace, data transmission, network infrastructure, SWaP-C, space technology, secure communications, satellite data, UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Oxford Science Enterprises, Dan Sola, Richard Johanson, space-enabled networks, resilient connectivity