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Overview Energy Emerges From Stealth With Airborne Power-Beaming Demo

The startup aims to turn existing solar farms into nighttime generators by sending near‑infrared power from orbit.

Overview

  • A light aircraft transmitted power via a near‑infrared laser to a ground receiver 5 kilometers below, delivering multiple thousands of watts that were converted to electricity.
  • The in‑motion test used the same optics and laser chain planned for space, validating tracking, control and power conversion under real‑world conditions.
  • Overview plans a low Earth orbit demonstration in 2028 on SpaceX’s Bandwagon‑7 rideshare to prove end‑to‑end functionality from space.
  • Commercial service is targeted around 2030 from geosynchronous orbit with at least megawatt‑scale delivery to utility solar sites.
  • The company says its beam is low‑intensity and passively safe but does not penetrate clouds, so it intends to rely on a network of receivers to maintain availability; it has raised about $20 million from investors including Engine Ventures and Lowercarbon Capital.