Star Catcher Raises $65 Million to Build First Orbital Power Grid
The Jacksonville-based startup aims to decouple energy generation from spacecraft using laser-beaming technology.
Star Catcher Industries is developing the first orbital power grid to provide on-demand energy to satellites via laser beaming. The Jacksonville-based defense tech startup aims to eliminate the power constraints that currently limit spacecraft operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
To fund the development of this infrastructure, Star Catcher has raised $65 million in a Series A funding round. The investment was led by B Capital, with additional participation from Shield Capital and Cerberus Ventures. In addition to private capital, the company has secured government backing through an AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I contract specifically to develop its space-to-space power beaming technology.
The Infrastructure Gap
Modern satellite operations are heavily restricted by the physical size and efficiency of onboard solar arrays. Because satellites must generate their own power, designers are often forced to trade off sensor capability or communication strength to accommodate larger solar panels. This limitation creates a ceiling for how much data a satellite can process or how powerful its transmissions can be.
Star Catcher's proposed solution, the "Star Catcher Network," seeks to decouple power generation from the spacecraft itself. By moving the energy source to a dedicated grid, satellites can be designed smaller and more capable, or operate in environments where traditional solar power is insufficient.
Technical Specifications
The proposed network will consist of approximately 200 satellites orbiting at an altitude of 1,500 km. These orbital hubs will be capable of delivering energy ranging from 100W to 100kW to customers in LEO. By beaming energy optically, the system allows the receiving satellite to maintain a high power profile without the mass penalty of massive batteries or arrays.
Industry Implications
Establishing a space-based power grid would fundamentally alter satellite architecture. The ability to access high-wattage power on demand enables the deployment of high-power sensors and advanced communications systems that were previously impossible due to energy constraints. Beyond commercial utility, this infrastructure is viewed as a critical asset for national security interests in LEO, providing a strategic advantage in orbital persistence and capability.
Future Outlook
As Star Catcher moves beyond its SBIR Phase I milestones, the industry will be watching for the first successful demonstrations of long-range optical power transfer between satellites. While the Series A funding provides the necessary runway for development, the company must still prove the scalability of a 200-satellite constellation and the precision required for laser beaming at orbital velocities.