Star Catcher, the pioneer in space-to-space power beaming, has successfully completed the first-ever demonstration of its space-based power beaming technology, marking a major step toward deploying an in-space energy grid that will eliminate power constraints for satellites. Conducted at EverBank Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, this end-to-end ground demonstration validates the core technology that will soon address the growing gap between supply and demand in on-orbit power generation.
During the demonstration, Star Catcher's proprietary energy transmission system successfully collected and transmitted concentrated solar energy over 100 meters to multiple off-the-shelf satellite solar arrays, proving the viability of the company's space technology under real-world conditions. Beaming power to standard satellite solar panels demonstrates a key advantage of Star Catcher's system – its ability to integrate with existing spacecraft without requiring retrofits to their power systems or requiring custom receivers. This breakthrough validates a core capability needed to build the Star Catcher Network, a planned space-based energy grid designed to provide continuous, on-demand power to satellites and space stations.
"This demonstration marks the first end-to-end test of our space power beaming technology, proving we can collect and wirelessly transmit energy with the precision needed for space applications," said Andrew Rush, Co-Founder and CEO of Star Catcher. "Today's success puts us one step closer to eliminating power constraints in space and unlocking new capabilities for satellites and the customers they serve."
While this demonstration successfully beamed power the length of a football field, Star Catcher is already preparing for its first large-scale test this summer at Space Florida's Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) – the historic site of the Space Shuttle's landings until 2011. This upcoming demonstration will significantly expand upon success, showcasing wireless power transmission of hundreds of watts over more than one kilometer, simultaneously powering multiple mock satellites. The EverBank Stadium demonstration builds on Star Catcher's rapid momentum in developing space-to-space power beaming solutions. The company recently secured a $12.25 million seed round, co-led by Initialized Capital and B Capital, and was awarded an AFWERX SBIR Phase 1 contract to advance space-based energy transmission capabilities.
As a Jacksonville-based company, Star Catcher's founders have built multiple successful space ventures in the region. Hosting this first system-level demonstration of space power beaming at EverBank Stadium, in collaboration with the Jacksonville Jaguars, underscores the company's commitment to innovation and community engagement. The event also provided a unique opportunity for local students to witness cutting-edge space technology being developed in their backyard, offering them a firsthand look at the future of in-space energy solutions.
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