The first “space-based energy grid” is under development by Star Catcher Industries, which has secured $12.25m (£9.55m) in an initial funding round.
Once constructed, the Star Catcher Network will be able to beam “significant levels” of broad-spectrum energy to spacecraft in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and beyond. According to the firm, the network will be able to deliver energy on demand and at higher concentrations than existing solar arrays on client spacecraft can provide.
The firm was founded by former Made in Space and Redwire leaders Andrew Rush and Michael Snyder, and has been responsible for replacing solar arrays on the International Space Station, alongside other projects.
The Star Catcher Network will allow satellites to generate between five to 10 times the amount of power they would generate otherwise, even without retrofitting, the firm said. This will allow satellite operators to expand the capabilities and uptime of their projects.
The demand for power-intensive applications...