The future of clean energy: harvesting solar power through satellites

With thousands of satellites, Aetherflux is developing a revolutionary method to collect solar energy in space and transmit it to Earth

A concept that for years had been the motivation for science fiction-harvesting and transmission of solar energy through space satellites-is getting closer to real life. Leading in this is a new startup, Aetherflux, co-founded by Baiju Bhatt of Robinhood. Excited over a technology which he described as a diversion from the traditional model, Bhatt said:

What we’re doing at Aetherflux is a new approach to space-based solar energy; it’s definitely not your grandparents’ solar power.”

A new vision for space-based solar energy: thousands of satellites in low earth orbit

The approach being taken by Aetherflux diverges from previous efforts that center around single large satellites in geostationary orbit. His idea is to launch thousands of smaller satellites in low Earth orbit, each with a solar panel, a battery system, and an infrared laser that beams the energy back to Earth. Each one would have a low single output, but thousands of them could amass considerable energy. In fact, if successful, Aetherflux may provide an entire neighborhood with continuous, clean energy.

Building on the success of its Series A funding round, Aetherflux hopes to start launching its test satellite sometime between late 2025 and early 2026 in cooperation with the satellite manufacturing company Apex. The first mission would be an important test of the satellite for its ability to beam down solar energy with infrared lasers and could even result in a world record for the longest-distance power transmission from space.

A personal commitment and millions in investment

With a net worth of more than $1.7 billion, Bhatt has already pledged tens of millions in personal capital to Aetherflux. It was the fascination with space and family—his dad used to work at NASA—that lured Bhatt into this venture, all in the hope of pursuing an industrial transformation that would dramatically shift energy markets.

If it succeeds, Aetherflux can make space-based solar energy a major driver in the transition to renewable energy-proof that ideas that sound like the stuff of science fiction can become tangible solutions if mixed with the right amount of entrepreneurial vision and private investment.

Source: Aetherflux – Forbes