Star Catcher has set a new benchmark in wireless energy transmission by actively beaming more than 1.1 kilowatts of electrical power through a laser-based optical system. This achievement overtakes the previous record established under a DARPA program and marks a significant step forward for space-ready power-beaming technology. The company carried out the demonstration at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where its multi-wavelength laser system delivered energy directly to commercial solar panels. By using standard hardware instead of custom receivers, Star Catcher clearly showed that efficient power beaming is not only possible but practical.
A Step Toward Space-Based Power Networks
The company envisions a future where spacecraft draw energy from a shared orbital power grid rather than depending solely on onboard solar arrays. In its recent test campaign, Star Catcher demonstrated that conventional triple-junction solar cells can effectively absorb beamed laser power. By converting sunlight or other collected energy into laser beams and sending them to satellites, the system could provide two to ten times more power than what spacecraft normally generate. This approach could enable missions to run high-demand systems for communications, propulsion, or sensing without increasing satellite mass.
Image by Star Catcher
How the Breakthrough Works
Star Catcher’s engineers designed and operated a multi-laser setup that emitted power at optimized wavelengths. During the tests, the system produced more than ten megajoules of energy across the campaign. The team maintained precise beam alignment and delivered power consistently throughout the trial, proving the system’s reliability. Because the solar panels used in the experiment came straight from commercial product lines, the results suggest that satellites could adopt this technology without major hardware redesigns.
What Comes Next
Star Catcher plans to take the next leap by launching an on-orbit demonstration in 2026. If the technology performs well in space, wireless optical power beaming could transform satellite operations, reduce launch mass, extend mission lifetimes, and support uninterrupted activity even during challenging periods like the lunar night.
