Star Catcher's Protostar Set to Demo First Spacecraft-to-Spacecraft Power Beaming in Orbit
Star Catcher's Protostar satellite is prepared for launch on SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare to conduct the first end-to-end demonstration of orbital power beaming between two moving spacecraft. The mission will test the company's energy harvesting, satellite tracking, and power transmission systems, potentially validating a commercial model that could generate two to ten times more power for customer satellites. Star Catcher has secured $88 million in venture funding and multiple power-purchase agreements with commercial space operators.
Star Catcher has demonstrated rapid progress toward commercializing orbital power transmission. The company's terrestrial tests in late 2023 achieved over 1.1 kilowatts of optical power delivery to standard solar panels, while concurrent spacecraft software validation occurred in orbit during 2025. This foundation enabled accelerated development of Protostar, which will now attempt the first operational demonstration of wireless power transfer between two moving satellites in space.
The company has secured substantial backing from both private and government sources. Beyond $88 million in venture funding, Star Catcher received a $60 million Space Force contract and has locked in ten commercial power-purchase agreements with established space operators. These advance commitments suggest market confidence that orbital power beaming could provide satellite operators with significantly enhanced energy capacity without requiring hardware modifications.
If successful, orbital power beaming could reshape economics for satellite operators by reducing dependence on onboard power generation, potentially extending mission lifespans and enabling new capabilities. The technology may influence how space infrastructure is architected and financed. However, widespread adoption depends on demonstrating reliability and cost-effectiveness at scale, and competition from alternative power solutions—including advanced solar cells and nuclear systems—remains active. Regulatory frameworks governing space-based power transmission are still developing.