Star Catcher Power Node transmitting power via beams of concentrated light to various satellites with a large Sun silhouetting it and Earth in background
Star Catcher Power Node transmitting power via beams of concentrated light to various satellites with a large Sun silhouetting it and Earth in background

Why space needs a grid

Why space needs a grid

Satellites will need 20x more power by 2030.

Satellites will need 20x more power by 2030.

On Earth, it took 200 years of grid-building to achieve a 20x power increase that fueled cities, industries, and entire economies.


In space, that same leap has to happen in just five years to meet exploding demand for space services.

Total satellites vs. power requirements

2020

3,000 satellites

10 megawatts

2025

10,000 satellites

50 megawatts

2030

60,000+ satellites

1,000+ megawatts

Total satellites vs. power requirements

Total satellites vs. power requirements

2020

3,000 satellites

10 megawatts

2025

10,000 satellites

50 megawatts

2030

60,000 satellites

60,000 satellites

1,000+ megawatts

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Today's satellites can't keep up.

Today's satellites can't keep up.

The power demands of advanced payloads are outpacing what satellites can generate on their own.


By 2030, the average satellite will need over 15 kW of average power. Most spacecraft buses today can only generate ~1 kW.

The power demands of advanced payloads are outpacing what satellites can generate on their own.


By 2030, the average satellite will need over 15 kW of average power. Most spacecraft buses today can only generate ~1 kW.

Hardware

Satellites can't run all systems at the same time and must make difficult trade-offs.

Hardware

Satellites can't run all systems at the same time and must make difficult trade-offs.

Market

Locked power budgets force operators to launch more satellites to meet demand.

Market

Locked power budgets force operators to launch more satellites to meet demand.

Eclipse

Satellites can’t generate power ~50% of the time while in Earth’s shadow.

Eclipse

Satellites can’t generate power ~50% of the time while in Earth’s shadow.

The power grid for the space economy.

The power grid for the space economy.

Shared infrastructure is the backbone of industrialization. Just as shared power, transportation, and communications networks fueled progress on Earth, new centralized systems are emerging to unlock scalable space operations.

Shared infrastructure is the backbone of industrialization. Just as shared power, transportation, and communications networks fueled progress on Earth, new centralized systems are emerging to unlock scalable space operations.

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What this unlocks

Communications satellite transmitting or collecting data above a nighttime Earth

Communications

Communications satellite transmitting or collecting data above a nighttime Earth

Communications

SpaceX rocket preparing for liftoff. Courtesy of SpaceX.

Transportation

SpaceX rocket preparing for liftoff. Courtesy of SpaceX.

Transportation

Earth from space at night over the United States with city lights

Power

Earth from space at night over the United States with city lights

Power

Earth from space at night over the United States with city lights

Power

Star Catcher engineer laughing with fresnel lens hardware in background at manufacturing facility
Star Catcher engineer laughing with fresnel lens hardware in background at manufacturing facility
Star Catcher engineer laughing with fresnel lens hardware in background at manufacturing facility

Power the next industrial revolution.

Power the next industrial revolution.

We're looking for world-class engineers and innovators to help us build the first power grid in space.

We're looking for world-class engineers and innovators to help us build the first power grid in space.

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About us

Recent News

Recent News

Star Catcher raises $65 million to build the first power grid in space

Star Catcher completes on-orbit precision acquisition and tracking demonstration

Star Catcher Names Camille Bergin Chief Marketing Officer

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