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For decades, the idea of harnessing gigawatts of clean, affordable power from solar energy collected and transmitted by satellites in orbit has been a staple of science fiction. However, on Wednesday, a new startup called Aetherflux emerged from stealth mode, claiming to be on the cusp of making this sci-fi dream a reality with a groundbreaking approach to space-based solar power.
Aetherflux’s founder, Baiju Bhatt, described their vision as a departure from traditional space solar power concepts. Unlike past proposals that involved launching expensive, large spacecraft into geostationary orbit, where they could capture sunlight continuously and beam it to Earth, Aetherflux plans to deploy a vast constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit. Each satellite will be equipped with a solar array, a battery, and an infrared laser to transmit power to the ground. While individual satellites may not collect large amounts of energy on their own, the plan is to launch thousands of these spacecraft to accumulate massive amounts of power.
Bhatt, a former leader at Robinhood with a background in physics and mathematics from Stanford, has always had a passion for space exploration. He saw the commercialization of space as an opportunity to bring more capitalism to the industry. By leveraging space-based solar power, Aetherflux aims to tap into a potentially massive market, but first, they must demonstrate the feasibility of their technology.
The company is currently working towards its first mission, which involves launching a demonstration spacecraft equipped with solar energy transmission technology. If successful, this mission could set a record for the distance over which power can be transmitted using an infrared laser. While space-based solar power remains a theoretical concept, Bhatt is optimistic about its industrial potential once the technical challenges are ironed out.
Aetherflux’s ultimate goal is to create a highly efficient satellite constellation capable of powering entire neighborhoods with solar energy beamed down from space. With Bhatt personally investing millions into the venture and committing to funding the initial demonstration mission, the future of space-based solar power seems to be closer than ever.
