A start-up called SpaceX wants it Starlink imitate. However, the satellites are not intended to bring Internet to every place on earth; Energy.
Beaming electricity to Earth has been researched for decades now, but has often failed due to efficiency. In order to collect as much sun as possible, satellites have to be in one high geostationary orbit be placed. From there the energy precise transmitting it to the receiving station on Earth is difficult. In addition, due to the distance, a lot of energy would be needed during transport get lost.
Many small satellites instead of a few large ones
Aetherflux wants to solve the problem by placing satellites in the low orbit be placed, like Starlink satellites from SpaceX. However, they are then not constantly illuminated by the sun, which means they collect less solar power. That’s why we shouldn’t have a few big ones, but very many many small satellites be used.
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One of the satellites is always in the sun to recharge its batteries. If it then flies within range of the ground station, the energy is supplied with a Infrared laser sent there. In order for constant energy to be supplied, one big constellation necessary.
Aetherflux did not reveal how many satellites would be needed to ensure a constant supply of electricity from space. One can assume that, like Starlink, several thousand must be a piece. And the more customers the company has, the more satellites it needs.
Test mission and record attempt planned
The start-up would like to send its first satellite into space at the end of 2025/beginning of 2026. This is intended to demonstrate that energy transfer works via infrared laser. If that works, it would be a Range record for wireless energy transmission, says the founder Baiju Bhatt to .
He admits that the concept is currently very theoretically is. His hope is that until the technological implementation of the power-beaming satellite network can actually take place, Solar panels much more efficient are than today. The desired goal: A satellite sends enough energy to Earth to power a small neighborhood.
Bhatt is no stranger to the tech industry. He is co-founder of the financial platform Robinhood. His private assets are estimated. He is said to have already invested several million in Aetherflux. According to a spokesman for the start-up, Bhatt is very committed to financing the demonstration mission – even if there is not enough money from other investors by then.
