50m for space power demo in 2026

A startup based in the United States has successfully secured $60 million in funding for its ambitious project to transmit power from orbit, with a live demonstration scheduled for the year 2026. Aetherflux, the company behind this groundbreaking initiative, is setting its sights on showcasing the delivery of power from low earth orbit (LEO) using cutting-edge infrared laser technology, a departure from the traditional use of microwaves.

According to a statement from the company, "We have raised $50 million from prominent investors such as Index Ventures, Interlagos, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, and NEA. Additionally, we have recently received our first government grant to further support our mission." The team at Aetherflux is currently dedicated to conducting subscale testing of their core technologies in preparation for the anticipated space demonstration in 2026.

Having already proven the viability of their technology in laboratory settings, Aetherflux has garnered support from the US Department of Defense (DoD) to advance their efforts in developing a proof of concept that showcases power transmission capabilities from LEO. Notably, the MAPLE project initiated by Caltech has already achieved successful power delivery from space, further validating the feasibility of such endeavors.

While Aetherflux leads the charge in the US, other entities around the globe are also actively engaged in similar projects aimed at beaming power down from orbit using microwave technology. The European Space Agency, along with the United Kingdom and China, are among the countries spearheading initiatives in this innovative field, underscoring the global interest and investment in space-based power transmission.

The skilled team at Aetherflux is diligently working on developing the payload for the Aries satellite bus, a crucial component that will facilitate the transfer of power from the extensive solar panel arrays mounted on the satellite to power the laser system. The envisioned outcome is the reception of up to 1 kilowatt of power on the ground by an array of photovoltaic solar panels, with initial targets including military installations. Furthermore, Aetherflux is exploring the creation of portable ground stations ranging from 5 to 10 meters in diameter, which could be deployed in remote areas and disaster zones to provide essential power supply.