Aetherflux Secures $50M to Propel Groundbreaking Space Solar Demo Launch in 2026

Aetherflux, a pioneering space solar startup founded by Baiju Bhatt, the billionaire co-founder of Robinhood, has successfully raised $50 million in a Series A funding round. This significant investment is aimed at facilitating the launch of its first low Earth orbit (LEO) demonstration mission, scheduled for 2026.

Aetherflux’s Vision for Space Solar Power

Based in San Carlos, California, Aetherflux emerged from stealth mode last October with an ambitious plan to deploy a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites. These satellites will collect and transmit solar energy directly to ground stations on Earth, transforming how we harness solar power. The inspiration for this innovative concept was initially sparked by Isaac Asimov’s 1941 short story “Reason.” Baiju Bhatt is dedicated to turning this science fiction-inspired vision into a reality.

Proving the Technology with Upcoming Launch

Before Aetherflux can launch its full satellite constellation, it must first successfully demonstrate its technology in orbit. According to Bhatt, “We need to demonstrate that we have made this transformative progress of going from humans not having power from space to, for the very first time, there being power from space for humans.” This upcoming launch will utilize the newly acquired funding to validate their technology.

Funding Details and Future Plans

This latest funding round has increased Aetherflux’s total capital to $60 million, following Bhatt’s personal investment of $10 million into the company. The Series A round was led by Index Ventures and Interlagos, with notable participation from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, and NEA. Other interesting contributors included celebrity Jared Leto.

Bhatt indicated that the funds will primarily be allocated to hiring more engineers and enhancing the technology and infrastructure necessary for their initial missions. “Our team is primarily focused right now on building the payload that sits on top of the bus… that takes all the power that the satellite bus generates and turns it into laser power,” Bhatt explained.

Understanding the Satellite Bus

Aetherflux is utilizing Apex Space’s Aries satellite bus. This bus serves as the core structure and system of a satellite, providing vital functions such as power, propulsion, and communications. Most satellite buses generate energy through solar panels, with Aetherflux aiming to send back as much as one kilowatt of energy to Earth via lasers.

Ground Stations: The Key to Energy Transfer

On the receiving end, Aetherflux’s ground stations, composed of photovoltaic arrays, will convert sunlight into energy, which will then be stored in batteries for later use. Bhatt mentioned that his team is comprised of engineers and researchers hailing from esteemed organizations such as NASA, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Anduril, and the U.S. Navy. They are also in the process of establishing Aetherflux’s first ground station, currently evaluating military sites with controlled airspace.

Future Innovations: Portable Ground Stations

Looking ahead, Bhatt envisions the development of small, portable ground stations, ranging from 5 to 10 meters in diameter, to deliver electricity to remote locations. “The thing we want to demonstrate [with the first mission] is the end-to-end power linking,” he stated. “We want to be able to demonstrate that we actually have electricity on the ground and use that to light up a light installation or do some electronic stuff on the ground.”

Challenges in Space Solar Power

Although few have successfully transmitted solar power from space to Earth, one notable achievement occurred in 2023 when researchers at Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project demonstrated wireless power transfer from low Earth orbit using microwave beaming. While this proved the concept, it does not fully align with Aetherflux’s vision for a scalable, commercial system.

Aetherflux’s recent funding comes on the heels of an award from the Department of Defense’s Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund, aimed at developing space solar power solutions for the U.S. military.