Space Power is advancing the frontier of space energy solutions through innovative optical energy transmission technology, offering spacecraft operators a solution to power constraints. The company has developed the world’s first universally compatible power beam, establishing the foundation for Power as a Service (PaaS) across diverse applications in Earth orbit and beyond.
The company’s journey began in February 2019 when the co-founders met for the first time at a Techstars London Space Hackathon and became finalists. This success sparked the beginning of the Space Power story. A major milestone was a terrestrial demonstrator in January 2023, where their technology successfully tracked and charged a laboratory laser powered rover for lunar environments, testing all the major sub-systems together. The rover communicated with the power tower to optimize charging efficiency, showcasing the system’s adaptive capabilities through what Space Power terms “smart engineered light.”
Space Power’s technological development accelerated in March 2024 when the company joined the ESA BIC accelerator program, securing valuable resources to advance the build of their in-orbit demonstrator. In March this year, the company obtained a patent related to determining optimal laser configurations for potential customer satellitesโa critical step in tailoring their solution to diverse spacecraft.ย This universal compatibility provides the unique ability to power any satellite already in service at any time.
As the space sector continues its rapid expansion, with increasingly power-hungry applications emerging such as the use of AI in space including for Earth observation, and more on-orbit computing, Space Power positions itself at the intersection of opportunity and necessity. Their approach offers satellite operators flexibility to undertake more ambitious missions without the constraints of launching massive onboard power generation capacity.
Looking forward, Space Power has secured an agreement with BAE Systems to launch their first In-Orbit Demonstrator. Their Space Power Optical Charge (SPOC) unit functions effectively as a satellite powerbank that adapts to customer needs, serving as the foundational element of what they envision as a pioneering orbital power grid.
With their technology demonstrations proving successful and strategic partnerships forming, the company stands ready to transform orbital power constraints into opportunities. Their quest for additional funding now represents the bridge between their established capabilities and the implementation of their innovative power grid visionโa technological advancement poised to reshape the economics and possibilities of space operations.
Power as a Service: Space Power’s Mission to Energize the Space Economy
