NASA has selected Hawaii as the preferred site to establish the world’s first laser communications ground terminal, which could spur major economic activity in the state, translating to job creation and revenues, according to public documents obtained by PBN.

Plans have yet to be finalized, although the terminal, which will communicate with next-generation Earth-orbiting satellites and interplanetary probes, may likely be temporarily sited atop dormant Haleakala volcano on Maui, the documents say.