A startup founded by a former financial services executive is taking a fresh and innovative approach to space-based solar power (SBSP), aiming to make it more scalable and affordable than traditional designs.

Aetherflux, a company introduced on October 9, plans to deploy a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) to capture solar energy and beam it back to Earth using infrared lasers. The first mission to demonstrate this technology, involving a small satellite, is slated for launch by early 2026.

Rethinking Space-Based Solar Power

Unlike many earlier SBSP concepts that involved large, complex solar arrays placed in geostationary orbit, Aetherflux’s strategy is modular and designed for iterative development. Previous designs often transmitted power using microwaves, requiring enormous ground-based receivers called rectennas. Despite being studied for more than five decades, these designs never progressed beyond theoretical discussions due to the substantial costs and technical challenges involved.

Baiju Bhatt, Aetherflux’s founder and CEO, explained that traditional designs faced an “all or nothing” problem. “The reason it hasn’t been realized yet is because you can’t iterate on that kind of design. You either build the entire system upfront, or you don’t build anything at all,” Bhatt shared.

Aetherflux, however, is betting on a constellation of smaller, modular satellites in low Earth orbit, which can be improved and expanded gradually. Bhatt emphasized that their power transmission system, based on infrared lasers, can be integrated into smaller spacecraft, making it possible to start on a smaller scale.

Their first satellite, developed with a spacecraft bus from Apex, will be a “kilowatt-class” model. It will transmit solar energy via infrared lasers to a 10-meter-wide receiver on the ground. The company aims to increase the power capacity of future satellites while reducing the cost per kilowatt-hour.

Technical Challenges and Defense Focus

Although this modular approach offers greater flexibility, it does come with its own set of challenges. Unlike geostationary satellites, which remain fixed in the sky and receive constant sunlight, LEO satellites move rapidly and experience periods of darkness. To overcome this, Aetherflux will need a constellation of satellites capable of handing off energy transmission as they orbit, as well as storage solutions for nighttime power delivery.

Initially, the company is focusing on defense-related applications, such as providing power to forward operating bases in remote locations where fuel logistics are challenging. “Getting fuel to remote outposts can be a huge logistical headache,” Bhatt said. Space-based solar power could be a game-changer in these scenarios, offering a steady power supply without relying on traditional fuel transport.

Historical Context and the Road Ahead

Using SBSP for military purposes isn’t a new idea. A 2007 study by the National Security Space Office saw potential in space-based solar energy for powering forward operating bases, but the recommendations from that study were never fully implemented. Bhatt wasn’t familiar with that particular report but believes that Aetherflux’s approach could fill the gap left by previous efforts.

The upcoming demonstration satellite is part of a phased strategy that Bhatt describes as “crawl, walk, run.” The initial demonstration represents the “crawl” phase, followed by a “walk” phase to establish commercial viability, and eventually reaching the “run” phase, where the technology could scale to power various applications worldwide.

Funding and Future Prospects

Bhatt, who co-founded the financial platform Robinhood, is self-funding Aetherflux with approximately $10 million, enough to get the company through the initial demonstration. Currently, the company has a small team of fewer than 10 employees.

Interest in SBSP

Interest in space-based solar power has fluctuated over the years. A NASA report released in January 2024 expressed skepticism about the feasibility of SBSP compared to other renewable energy sources, citing the high costs of deploying and maintaining such systems. Bhatt acknowledged the report but argued that it focused on large-scale designs, whereas Aetherflux’s modular approach wasn’t considered. “It didn’t address how to start small and build up,” Bhatt noted.

Meanwhile, advocates of SBSP have criticized the NASA report, leading them to conduct their own analysis. A new study backed by organizations such as the National Space Society and the International Astronautical Federation will be discussed at a workshop in Milan on October 12, ahead of the International Astronautical Congress. This study will explore how advancements in launch technologies, particularly SpaceX’s Starship, could significantly lower launch costs, potentially making large-scale SBSP systems viable.

John Mankins, a leading SBSP advocate, highlighted that with launch costs dropping by up to 99%, deploying a geostationary SBSP system using around 60 Starship launches is now a realistic possibility. “This kind of vision was hard to imagine a decade ago, but it’s becoming achievable today,” Mankins said.

Aetherflux’s Unique Path

While Bhatt is aware of the growing interest in large-scale SBSP solutions, his focus remains on Aetherflux’s modular and scalable design. “I’ve reviewed enough case studies to know the potential challenges. I’m at the point where I’m ready to make this happen,” Bhatt said confidently.

As Aetherflux moves toward its first demonstration mission, it hopes to carve out a path for space-based solar power that is not only practical but scalable for both defense and commercial applications. With advances in technology and Bhatt’s vision, the dream of harnessing solar energy from space may soon be within reach.