US-based Star Catcher Industries has raised $65m to bring the “first space-based energy grid” to orbit, with a demonstration mission planned for later in 2026.
Founded less than two years ago, Star Catcher is developing a space-based energy network designed to power satellites and other spacecraft in low-Earth orbit.
Its ‘Star Catcher Network’ uses optical power beaming technology or lasers to wirelessly transmit energy on demand. The system works by collecting and concentrating diffuse sunlight, converting it into wavelengths optimised for standard satellite solar panels, and beaming it precisely to spacecraft.
The company says that this technology is compatible across existing satellite systems, allowing satellites to generate between 10 times the amount of power they would generate otherwise, even without retrofitting. This will allow satellite operators to expand the capabilities and uptime of their projects.
The demand for power-intensive applications in space has been growing rapidly...