Space infrastructure startup Star Catcher has raised $65 million in a Series A funding round to accelerate its plan to build the first-ever orbital power grid, designed to transmit energy across satellites in space. The round brings the company’s total funding to about $88 million, signaling strong investor confidence in space-based energy infrastructure.
The funding round was led by B Capital, with co-leads Shield Capital and Cerberus Ventures, alongside participation from several other venture firms. As part of the deal, notable industry figures—including former senior U.S. Space Force leadership—are joining the company’s board, reinforcing its strategic ties to national security and defense space priorities.
Building a Power Grid in Orbit
Star Catcher’s core technology aims to solve a key limitation in satellite operations: power scarcity in space. Today, satellites rely entirely on onboard solar panels and batteries, which restrict performance and mission design. Star Catcher proposes a new model where dedicated “power nodes” in orbit collect solar energy and beam it wirelessly to other satellites.
This approach uses optical power transmission (laser-based beaming) to deliver energy to spacecraft without requiring hardware modifications. The goal is to significantly increase available power for satellites, enabling more advanced missions such as high-performance computing, persistent surveillance, and extended operational lifetimes.
The company positions this concept as foundational infrastructure for a future “space economy,” where energy becomes a shared utility rather than a fixed onboard constraint.
Progress and Demonstrations
Star Catcher has already achieved early technical milestones, including ground and early flight-related demonstrations of its power-beaming technology. The company is preparing for a key orbital demonstration mission later this year, which will validate whether its system can operate reliably in space conditions.
The startup has also secured multiple commercial agreements and government contracts, reflecting early market demand. According to company data, its commercial pipeline is valued at over $3 billion in potential annual recurring revenue, although these figures remain forward-looking.
Strategic Importance and Industry Impact
Investors see Star Catcher as part of a broader shift toward space infrastructure commercialization, where private companies build foundational systems similar to power grids or telecom networks on Earth.
The involvement of defense-linked investors and former Space Force leadership highlights strong interest from the national security sector, where improved satellite power could enhance communications, surveillance, and maneuverability.
Outlook
With fresh capital, Star Catcher plans to expand its engineering teams and advance toward scalable orbital deployment. If successful, its technology could redefine how satellites are powered, shifting the industry from isolated energy systems to a shared, on-demand space energy network.
