Image Courtesy: Star Catcher
A Florida-based space company says it wants to solve one of the biggest limitations facing satellites and future space infrastructure, lack of reliable power. Its solution sounds futuristic even by space industry standards: a laser-powered energy grid operating in orbit.
Star Catcher Industries announced it has raised $65 million in new funding to develop what it describes as the world’s first in-space power grid. The company plans to launch a network of orbital “power node” spacecraft that collect solar energy and beam it wirelessly to other satellites using lasers. The goal is to provide continuous power to spacecraft without requiring them to rely entirely on onboard batteries or direct sunlight exposure, according to Space.com
The company says the concept could fundamentally change how satellites operate. Currently, many satellites lose functionality whenever they pass into Earth’s shadow, limiting uptime and forcing operators to carefully manage energy usage. Star Catcher claims its system could allow satellites to continue operating at full capacity even during orbital eclipses.
The proposed system works by transmitting concentrated solar energy directly onto existing solar panels mounted on satellites. According to the company, client spacecraft would not require major hardware modifications to receive the power, an important detail if the system is meant to work across a wide range of commercial and government satellites already in orbit.
CEO Andrew Rush described the broader vision as creating the same type of infrastructure in space that already exists on Earth, including transportation, communications, and now energy distribution. He argues that space operations today still resemble isolated “camping trips” where every satellite must independently manage limited power resources.
The potential applications extend well beyond ordinary communications satellites. Star Catcher says future customers could include direct-to-cell telecom networks, military surveillance systems, and even AI-powered orbital data centers, an idea several major technology companies are reportedly exploring despite the enormous energy demands involved.
The military implications are also attracting attention. Retired US Space Force General Jay Raymond, who participated in the funding round, said persistent surveillance, resilient communications, and maneuverability in orbit are all currently constrained by available power.
The company has already conducted early ground-based demonstrations of its technology. In one test, Star Catcher successfully beamed energy across the length of a football field. A later test at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center reportedly transmitted more than one kilowatt of power wirelessly to commercial solar panels, exceeding a previous DARPA record.
An orbital test mission is now planned for later this year. That demonstration aims to beam energy to a free-flying satellite in space for the first time.
Longer term, the company believes laser-based power transmission could eventually support lunar missions as well, including NASA’s Artemis program. Power-beaming satellites in lunar orbit could potentially provide energy to vehicles or bases operating inside permanently shadowed craters near the Moon’s south pole.
The idea remains highly experimental, but it reflects a growing shift in the space industry toward building permanent infrastructure in orbit rather than relying solely on standalone spacecraft.