7 space laser projects that aim to beam electricity to Earth

The article highlights seven innovative space-based laser and wireless power transmission projects aimed at harvesting solar energy in orbit and beaming it back to Earth, potentially transforming global energy distribution. Among them, Aetherflux, founded by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt, plans to deploy a constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit by 2026 to deliver high-power laser energy to remote and strategic locations, emphasizing smaller surface footprints compared to microwave systems. Overview Energy, a US startup launched in 2025, is developing geosynchronous satellites that use near-infrared lasers to send low-intensity, passively safe energy to ground solar farms, enabling power generation even without direct sunlight. Caltech’s MAPLE system demonstrated successful wireless power transmission from its 2023-launched satellite, proving the feasibility of flexible, lightweight receiver arrays and integrated circuits for space-based power beaming. UK-based Space Solar is working on Cassiopeia, a large modular satellite in geostationary orbit that uses