Star Catcher Raises $65M Led by B Capital to Build Space-Based Solar Grid

Why It Matters

By centralizing power generation, Star Catcher could slash satellite mass dedicated to batteries and solar arrays, lowering launch costs and extending mission lifespans—a catalyst for the exploding LEO services market.

Key Takeaways

• Star Catcher raised $88 million total, $65 million led by B Capital
• Tests beamed 1.1 kW to panels, surpassing DARPA’s 800 W record
• Planned constellation at ~1,600 km altitude will laser‑power LEO satellites
• Clients could receive up to ten times their native solar output
• Retired Gen. John W. Raymond joins board, signaling defense interest

Pulse Analysis

The orbital‑solar sector is moving from speculative research to commercial viability, and Star Catcher sits at the forefront. Its recent $65 million infusion, part of an $88 million capital pool, reflects investor confidence that a utility‑scale power grid in space can solve the chronic energy‑budget constraints of low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) platforms. By positioning power‑node satellites just above the crowded LEO band, the firm leverages longer sun exposure and reduces the need for each satellite to carry its own large battery bank, a design trade‑off that has traditionally limited payload capacity.

Technical breakthroughs underpin the business case. In 2025, Star Catcher’s multi‑wavelength laser system delivered 1.1 kilowatts of electrical power to ground‑based panels, eclipsing DARPA’s previous record and proving that high‑efficiency, narrow‑beam transmission is achievable in a controlled environment. The company’s Fresnel‑lens concentrators focus sunlight onto photovoltaic arrays, converting it to laser wavelengths that existing satellite solar cells can absorb without hardware changes. This plug‑and‑play model promises up to a tenfold increase in usable power for client satellites, effectively acting as a “second sun” that mitigates the half‑orbit eclipse periods that currently force satellites into battery‑only mode.

The strategic implications are profound. With launch costs plummeting and the number of LEO satellites projected to exceed 10,000 by 2030, operators will seek any edge that reduces mass and extends operational life. A shared power infrastructure could free up valuable kilogram‑budget for sensors, communications payloads, or even on‑orbit manufacturing. Moreover, the involvement of a former U.S. Space Force chief signals potential government contracts for resilient, secure power services in contested or high‑priority orbits. As the space economy matures, a reliable orbital grid may become as essential as terrestrial electricity grids are today, unlocking new business models ranging from space‑based data centers to on‑orbit servicing platforms.

Deal Summary

Florida-based Star Catcher announced it has raised $65 million in financing led by B Capital, bringing its total capital raised to $88 million. The funds will support the development of an orbital solar collection and transmission network for low‑Earth‑orbit satellites.