Star Catcher's demonstration showed how multi-wavelength lasers, beam steering, and standard solar cells could support future orbital power networks.
Orbital power systems have been among the most compelling concepts in space infrastructure for decades. In theory, photovoltaic arrays placed in orbit could harvest uninterrupted sunlight, convert it into electricity, and then transmit that energy via microwave or laser beams to where it is needed.
The appeal is obvious. Large photovoltaic arrays add mass, cost, drag, and deployment complexity to spacecraft. Orbital power systems, however, could separate power generation from payload mass, allowing satellites and spacecraft to operate with greater flexibility and maneuverability. NASA and DARPA have explored related concepts for years, and the idea of a space-based solar power network has remained a long-term vision for satellites, lunar missions, and deep-space operations. Star Catcher Industries is fast closing the gap toward making this dream a reality. In November 2025, the company transferred more than 1.1 kilowatts of power wirelessly to commercial solar cells installed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, setting a record abovetransmission record. Through a range of tests, the multi-wavelength laser array designed by Star Catcher successfully delivered more than 10 megajoules of power to off-the-shelf satellite cells, showing the potential for an orbital power system. These achievements—which include live charging of batteries powering Intuitive Machine’s lunar rover—mark the first move towards the construction of a space solar power grid. As Star Catcher’s co-founder Andrew Rush puts it, these tests “offer definitive proof of the soundness and maturity of our approach to building a resilient orbital power grid”.Power beaming has long been proposed for space applications. The technique used by Star Catcher involves concentrating solar energy in outer space and wirelessly transmitting it to existing satellite panels. In this case, an orbital “power station” will harness solar energy via a vast array of receptors, convert it into laser energy at precise frequencies, and transmit it to client satellites. As David Szondy, Star Catcher uses an “optical multi-spectrum laser that can be aimed at a client satellite” to effectively focus a “huge magnifying glass” on its solar arrays. This technique increases the satellite’s power output by 2 to 10 times without any changes to the hardware components. By relying on off-the-shelf solar cells, the system avoids complex retrofits. The technical challenge is reliably pointing high-power lasers over tens of kilometers. The Star Catcher experiment at the Kennedy Space Center used laser arrays of various wavelengths matched to the band gaps of triple-junction photovoltaic cells. These lasers operate at wavelengths of light that can pass through Earth’s atmosphere without any signal loss. This allows a concentration of one to 10 suns’ worth of energy upon these cells, as demonstrated by the experiments. Essentially, this amounts to supercharging the solar cells—more energy can be generated from them without being dependent on the day-night cycle or weather, because additional sunlight not available to terrestrial systems can be provided. Space-based power beaming thus solves the density limits of solar cells by decoupling power generation from payload mass.In late 2025, Star Catcher conducted a full-scale demonstration at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility. Working with Space Florida, they set up an optical ground station—essentially a laser emitter and target panels—and executed a series of power-beaming runs. Over the campaign, the team “delivered more than 1.1 kW of electrical power to commercial off-the-shelf solar panels”. This broke the previous DARPA benchmark of 800 W set just months earlier. Importantly, Star Catcher achieved this without modifying the panels, validating that standard space hardware can be used unaltered. The press release highlights that multiple panel types were tested, including an Astro Digital triple-junction panel—the same design used on some satellites—demonstrating real hardware compatibility.The demonstration also included customer payloads. In one test, Star Catcher beamed power to Intuitive Machines’ Lunar Terrain Vehicle at night, fully recharging its batteries. This live trial showed how laser power could extend lunar rover missions through the long two-week lunar night. Additional beams were sent to prototypes for orbital data centers and other spacecraft experiments. Throughout the multi-day campaign, Star Catcher logged over 10 megajoules of transmitted energy. The campaign’s success was a direct result of the technology developed in 2024–25: precision-tracking optics, adaptive beam steering, and wavelength-tunable lasers. Chief among the innovations is the “Star Catcher Network” architecture—a distributed constellation of power nodes—but this ground test focused on the beam propagation and conversion steps.The 1.1 kW rating became the primary indicator of performance; however, data on power density, efficiency, and system transience were also collected. The full-power mode was reached during continuous use, and the converted current matched expectations from lab testing. It is shown that the laser-to-electrical conversion on the solar panel was highly efficient, reaching about 40-50 percent with a triple-junction solar cell. In practice, each beam produced solar power equivalent to about ten suns. As Star Catcher stated, such stability enabled satellite simulators to carry heavy loads. Another key metric was pointing accuracy. To maintain 1.1 kW on a target roughly the size of a person’s hand several kilometers away, the tracking system had to keep errors under a few arcseconds. Although internal data are not public, Star Catcher’s success indicates sub-arcminute stability. CEO Andrew Rush emphasizes the practical implications: “These real-world results offer definitive proof of the soundness and maturity of our approach to building a resilient orbital power grid”. In effect, the demonstration validated the core engineering assumptions: optical wireless power can be delivered robustly with existing hardware. Apart from its maximum power capacity, Star Catcher focused on market validation. The company announced six Power Purchase Agreements with leading aerospace partners, worth “tens of millions of dollars” each year through 2030. In this case, these PPAs, entered into with satellite operators, space data firms, and Intuitive Machines, indicate significant interest in the technology. According to the Star Catcher press release, customers are already running tests on the beamed power system. Venture partner Howard Morgan underscores the milestone: “Space has waited decades for its energy revolution. Star Catcher just delivered it”. This industry reaction suggests that the 1.1 kW record is as much a business proof as a technical one.A number of valuable engineering lessons have been learned from the Star Catcher project. Firstly, it has been shown that systems integration can work at a large scale. Alignment of the laser, optics, tracking, and satellite boards is a highly challenging task, but tests show that a properly coordinated system functions well. The use of solar panels without alteration was vital, as it helped avoid delays caused by the production of specialized equipment. Secondly, there were innovations in the software and control areas: the tracking routines efficiently handled mobile targets and weather conditions, achieving millisecond response times to eliminate beam shift. Third, the test showed how intense light interacts with actual hardware—specifically, how the panels withstand high-temperature conditions. Another outcome concerns safety and regulations. A nighttime open-air laser test required coordination with air traffic control and the FAA. This shows that future operations—for example, beam relay to satellites in orbit—will need robust safety protocols. Engineering teams have noted that clear atmospheric conditions were a factor; even a light haze would attenuate the beam. As a result, weather readiness will be a key design consideration for actual deployment. The Star Catcher press release summarizes the broader lesson: their test “validat the company’s approach to ‘supercharge’ satellites with significantly more power”. The success of Star Catcher’s tests has wide implications for the space industry. In the short term, satellite operators can soon lease power on demand rather than carrying excess solar panels. This could halve the size or cost of power systems on new spacecraft. Companies planning on-orbit services—such as data centers, manufacturing, or mining—can rely on external power beams instead of complex new reactors. Intuitive Machines’ lunar demo hints at space exploration benefits: future habitats or rovers could be powered from orbit during nights or in shadowed craters. Longer term, an orbital power grid could reshape space logistics. By 2026, Star Catcher plans a demonstration in Low Earth Orbit to validate end-to-end space-to-space beaming. If successful, this could lead to a network of solar-power satellites—the “Star Catcher Network”—effectively eliminating the power ceiling for spacecraft. Industry analysts note that this technology directly addresses growing demands such as space-based internet, AI-driven Earth observation, and defense systems that require continuous high-energy operation. As Andrew Rush concludes, the market is “revolutioniz power delivery beyond Earth,” a proposition increasingly embraced by investors and agencies. By proving that concentrated sunlight can be delivered across kilometers to existing solar cells, the team has turned science fiction into engineering reality. This pioneering test lays the groundwork for the first space solar power stations, with in-space demos coming as early as 2026. Engineers and stakeholders will watch closely as this technology moves from runway to orbit, potentially enabling satellites, habitats, and even lunar expeditions to live off-beam. The day when power grids span Earth and space together may be on the horizon.Srishti started out as an editor for academic journal articles before switching to reportage. With a keen interest in all things science, Srishti is particularly drawn to beats covering medicine, sustainable architecture, gene studies, and bioengineering. When she isn't elbows-deep in research for her next feature, Srishti enjoys reading contemporary fiction and chasing after her cats.SpaceSpace
Laser Power Beaming Orbital Energy Renewable Energy In Space Satellite Technology Space Infrastructure Space Solar Power Star Catcher Wireless Power Transmission
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