⚡ An electrical network in space to recharge satellites

A Florida-based startup has proposed a bold idea: building the first orbital electrical grid. "Power nodes" would capture solar energy and retransmit it via laser to the solar panels of client satellites, without requiring any modifications. This approach could transform how energy is managed in space.

Star Catcher has just announced a $65 million funding round, bringing total financing to $88 million. This funding will enable development of this space infrastructure. According to Rush, the goal is to move from an era of energy constraints to energy abundance, making space operations as simple as on Earth.


The principle of power beaming is simple: the nodes capture sunlight and concentrate it into a laser directed at client satellites. This process can multiply satellite operating time by two to ten times, and is particularly useful during periods when they are deprived of sunlight. It also offers the ability to more efficiently recharge aging satellites whose panels have degraded.

The potential applications are numerous. In the commercial sector, direct-to-mobile telecommunications infrastructure and orbital data centers are among the most promising clients. On the military side, General Jay Raymond, former chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force, notes that persistent surveillance, resilient communications, and maneuverability are currently limited by energy.

Beyond Earth orbit, Star Catcher envisions services on the Moon. Lunar vehicles could explore the shadowed craters of the south pole, rich in water ice, thanks to a constant energy link. This technology could complement the nuclear reactors envisioned by NASA, distributing the generated power.


The young company has already reached key milestones. In March 2025, it transmitted energy across the entire length of an American football field. In November, it set a record by delivering 1.1 kilowatts to solar panels during tests at Kennedy Space Center. A first orbital test is planned for this year, with a commercial deployment target by the end of the decade.

Star Catcher has already signed seven power purchase agreements with companies such as Starcloud, Loft Orbital, and Astro Digital, as well as with government clients. With these new funds and the arrival of experts on the board of directors, the startup seems well-positioned to realize its vision of an electrical network in space.

Optical power beaming

The technique used by Star Catcher relies on optical power beaming. A transmitter converts solar energy into a laser beam of a specific wavelength. This beam is directed toward a satellite's solar panels, which convert it back into electricity.

The advantage is that satellites require no special equipment: their standard solar panels are sufficient. This reduces costs and allows servicing even aging spacecraft. Energy losses in the vacuum of space are low, making the process efficient for orbital distances.

However, pointing precision is essential: the beam must remain constantly aligned with the receiving satellite's panels, which moves at high speed. Advanced tracking systems are therefore necessary to maintain the connection.

Low Earth orbit satellites and their constraints

Most observation, communication, and navigation satellites operate in low Earth orbit, between 124 and 1,243 miles (200 to 2,000 km) altitude. They orbit the Earth in about 90 minutes, spending roughly half that time in the planet's shadow. During these eclipses, their solar panels no longer produce electricity, and they must run on batteries.

This power limitation directly affects their capabilities: duration of observations, transmission rates, or even orbital maneuvers. Operators must carefully manage their energy reserves, which reduces mission efficiency.

An energy transmission network like Star Catcher's could provide a boost during eclipses, allowing satellites to work at full capacity without interruption. This would represent a major leap forward for many space applications.