SpaceX launches Transporter-18 mission with satellites testing energy beaming
by@axios
Summary
On Thursday afternoon, several advanced satellite experiments launched into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-18 "rideshare" mission, aimed at testing concepts such as orbital data centers and energy beaming. Among the 130 payloads was Protostar from startup Star Catcher, which is designed to transmit energy between satellites, and Reason-1 from Cowboy Space, intended to collect solar energy in space and beam it down to Earth. Cowboy Space's CEO, Baiju Bhatt, noted the potential for this technology to provide power to areas without existing infrastructure and support high-end surveillance drones, highlighting the ongoing shift from theoretical energy transmission designs to practical demonstrations in orbit.
Analysis
SpaceX: SpaceX provides launch services for satellites and other spacecraft using its Falcon family of rockets. It operated the Falcon 9 vehicle that carried the Transporter-18 rideshare mission into orbit. This mission supported testing of new commercial space technologies including orbital energy systems. Baiju Bhatt: Baiju Bhatt is the founder and CEO of Cowboy Space. He described the energy beaming technology as a potential Starlink equivalent for power delivery with possible military uses including drone operations. His comments highlight the company's goals for practical terrestrial and orbital applications. Cowboy Space: Cowboy Space is a startup focused on space-based solar energy collection and transmission. Its Reason-1 satellite tests gathering solar power in orbit and beaming it to Earth. The company explores applications such as providing energy to remote locations and supporting future orbital data centers. Star Catcher: Star Catcher is a startup developing satellite-based wireless energy transmission systems. Its Protostar satellite was launched to demonstrate energy beaming between satellites as a step toward an orbital power grid. The experiment tests concepts for supplying power to other spacecraft in space. Application Potential: Space-based energy could support operations in areas lacking traditional infrastructure as well as high-endurance aerial systems. Commercial Space Activity: Startups are actively testing advanced energy and data concepts through shared orbital launches. Energy Transmission Concepts: Orbital power systems are advancing from theoretical designs toward in-space demonstrations.
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tech