Science
Star Catcher prepares orbital test of laser power transmission between satellites
Wired reports that the startup's Protostar prototype aims to achieve the first laser energy transfer between untethered spacecraft.
The short version
- Star Catcher is launching its Protostar prototype on a SpaceX rocket to beam concentrated solar energy via lasers to an untethered cubesat.[Wired]
- If successful, the mission will mark the first demonstration of laser energy transmission between separate, untethered spacecraft in orbit.[Wired]
- The company has secured $65 million in funding, a $30 million US Space Force award, and 10 commercial power purchase agreements.[Wired]
- Technical hurdles remain uncertain, including long-term equipment durability, heat management, tracking precision, and overall energy transmission efficiency in space.[Wired]
Key facts
- Star Catcher is launching its Protostar prototype on a SpaceX rocket to transmit power to a separate satellite in orbit.[Wired]
- A successful mission would mark the first time lasers transmit energy between two untethered spacecraft.[Wired]
- Star Catcher uses optical lenses to concentrate sunlight into laser wavelengths, claiming it can provide up to 10 times more power than diffuse sunlight.[Wired]
- The startup previously demonstrated ground transmission of over 1 kilowatt of power to off-the-shelf solar panels.[Wired]
- The company secured $65 million in funding, a $30 million award from the US Space Force, and 10 power purchase agreements.[Wired]
What remains uncertain
- Whether laser power transmission can overcome low operating efficiencies, tracking complexities, heat management, and long-term durability in the vacuum of space to become economically viable.[Wired]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.