7 companies · 11 sourced backers · 34 milestones on record
Space-based solar power aims to collect sunlight in orbit and deliver usable energy to Earth. Companies are developing power transmission systems, durable solar cells, repeatable spacecraft designs and ways to build large structures in space. The goal is dependable power delivery rather than demonstrations of individual components.
Where the 7 companies stand today, from their profiles and 10-year milestones. Tap a phase to see who is there.
- ▸Moving from transmission experiments to useful power delivery
- ▸Manufacturing large solar and antenna structures in space
- ▸Making spacecraft production repeatable
- ▸Ensuring solar cells remain dependable in space
Publicly listed: 2 companies (owned by public shareholders).
- ›Every sourced story on all frontiers, filterable by company and news type
- ›10-year milestone records for each company: demo vs shipped
- ›Explained: plain-words readiness diagrams for real breakthroughs
- ›Signal Trends of 39 frontiers covering 378 companies over time.
- ›The events calendar: launches, approvals and deadlines ahead
- Aetherflux
To turn sunlight collected in orbit into usable energy delivered to receivers on Earth.
Lab
- Caltech SSPP / Northrop Grumman
To demonstrate and develop the technologies needed to transmit solar energy from space.
Lab · publicly listed
- Orbital Composites
To manufacture large structures in space, including solar and antenna systems.
Lab
- Overview Energy
To use sunlight-collecting satellites to send energy to existing solar farms on Earth, extending the hours they can supply power.
Lab · backed by Aurelia Institute, Earthrise Ventures
- Solestial
To make durable solar cells practical for use in space, including through self-healing behaviour.
Some users · backed by Blackhorn Ventures, Temasek
- Virtus Solis
To collect solar energy in space and transmit useful power to Earth.
Lab
- York Space Systems
To make spacecraft production repeatable through standardised satellite platforms.
Some users · publicly listed · backed by Aegis Capital
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