A satellite platform facilitates the dividing of a laser system into functional modules, and operates to provide one or more of the functional modules directly into (e.g., closer toward) a user's operational space. In a typical implementation, the satellite platform pairs two or more of the functional modules into a combination and places it in the user's operational space. The two or more functional modules can be two of the major components of the laser-system user interface, namely, the handpiece and the control panel. The combination is provided by way of the satellite platform directly into the user's operational space, while part, all, or a majority of, the laser system may remain away from the use's operational space (e.g., on the wall, on the counter-top or at the walk-way). A particular embodiment of the satellite platform takes the form of an articulated arm similar to that used for components in conventional dental chairs.