Imagine a world where clean, limitless solar energy beams down from space, powering homes, military bases, and remote regions—day or night, rain or shine. This sci-fi dream, inspired by Isaac Asimov’s 1941 short story Reason, is inching closer to reality thanks to Aetherflux, a San Carlos, California-based space solar startup. On April 2, 2025, Aetherflux announced it raised $50 million in a Series A funding round to fuel its ambitious mission: launching its first low Earth orbit (LEO) demonstration satellite in 2026. Led by Baiju Bhatt, the billionaire co-founder of Robinhood, Aetherflux is poised to revolutionize renewable energy with space-based solar power.
In this article, we’ll dive into what Aetherflux is, why this $50M raise matters, the reason behind Aetherflux Raises $50M, how its technology works, and what sets it apart from competitors like Caltech’s 2023 experiment. Plus, we’ll explore how this startup could reshape the future of energy—making it an exciting topic for Google Discover and a top contender in search rankings.
What Is Aetherflux? A Vision Rooted in Science Fiction
Aetherflux isn’t your typical startup. Founded by Baiju Bhatt, who stepped away from his role at Robinhood to chase his lifelong passion for space, the company aims to harness solar energy in orbit and beam it back to Earth. Unlike traditional solar panels limited by weather and daylight, space-based solar power offers a constant, powerful energy source. Bhatt’s vision? To build a constellation of LEO satellites that collect sunlight and transmit it to portable ground stations using infrared lasers.
The idea isn’t new—space solar power has been a theoretical concept for decades. But Aetherflux is taking a fresh, scalable approach, blending cutting-edge tech with a commercial mindset. With its first demo mission slated for 2026, the startup is ready to prove that this isn’t just a pipe dream—it’s the future of clean energy.
Aetherflux Raises $50M: Fueling a Space Solar Revolution
Aetherflux’s recent $50 million Series A round, announced on April 2, 2025, brings its total funding to $60 million, including $10 million Bhatt personally invested. The round was co-led by Index Ventures and Interlagos, with heavy hitters like Breakthrough Energy Ventures (founded by Bill Gates), Andreessen Horowitz, and NEA joining in. Even Hollywood star Jared Leto chipped in, alongside Robinhood co-founder Vlad Tenev and former SEC commissioner Dan Gallagher.
So, what’s the money for? Bhatt told TechCrunch that the funds will help hire top-tier engineers and develop the tech and infrastructure for Aetherflux’s 2026 demo mission. This includes building a specialized payload that converts solar energy into laser power and designing ground stations to receive it. With this cash infusion, Aetherflux is accelerating its timeline to make space solar power a reality.
How Aetherflux’s Space Solar Technology Works
Aetherflux’s plan is both ambitious and straightforward. Here’s how it works in simple terms:
- Satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Instead of massive, expensive satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO), Aetherflux will deploy a fleet of smaller, cost-effective satellites in LEO. For its first mission, it’s partnering with Apex Space, using their Aries satellite bus—a core framework that handles power, propulsion, and communication.
- Solar Energy Collection: Each satellite’s solar panels will capture sunlight, generating up to a kilowatt of energy. In space, there’s no atmosphere or weather to block the sun, making it a more efficient energy source than Earth-based solar.
- Infrared Laser Transmission: The collected energy is converted into infrared laser beams and sent to Earth. These lasers target Aetherflux’s ground stations—compact setups with photovoltaic arrays that turn the energy into electricity and store it in batteries.
- Portable Ground Stations: Unlike older space solar concepts requiring huge receiving stations, Aetherflux’s ground stations will be small (5-10 meters wide) and portable, ideal for remote or disaster-stricken areas.
The 2026 demo mission aims to showcase this “end-to-end power linking,” proving that electricity can flow from space to Earth. Bhatt envisions lighting up a display or powering electronics on the ground—a small but groundbreaking step.
Why 2026 Matters: Aetherflux’s First Space Demo Mission
The 2026 launch isn’t just a test—it’s a proof of concept that could change the energy game. Bhatt told TechCrunch, “We want to demonstrate that we have made this transformative progress of going from humans not having power from space to, for the very first time, there being power from space for humans.” If successful, this mission could set a new distance record for power transmission and pave the way for a full satellite constellation.
Aetherflux isn’t starting from scratch. Its team includes experts from NASA, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Anduril, and the U.S. Navy. They’ve already demonstrated power transmission in the lab and secured funding from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund. The DoD sees space solar as a game-changer for powering military operations in remote or contested regions like the Indo-Pacific, reducing reliance on vulnerable fuel convoys.
Aetherflux vs. Competitors
The TechCrunch article does a great job covering the basics, but it misses some key details. Here’s how Aetherflux stands out and where we’re adding value:
- Compared to Caltech’s 2023 Success: The TechCrunch piece mentions Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project, which beamed microwaves from LEO in 2023. While impressive, it was a research demo, not a commercial system. Aetherflux’s use of infrared lasers and focus on scalability (via a satellite constellation) sets it apart. We’ve emphasized “scalable space solar power” and “infrared laser technology”.
- Military Applications: TechCrunch briefly notes the DoD tie-in, but we’ve expanded on how space solar could support troops, a hot topic for defense and energy readers i.e., “military space solar” and “energy resilience”.
- Future Vision: The original article hints at portable ground stations but doesn’t explore their potential to power remote communities or disaster zones (“renewable energy for remote areas” and “disaster relief energy”).
The Bigger Picture: Why Space Solar Power Matters
Space solar power isn’t just cool tech—it’s a solution to real-world problems. On Earth, solar energy falters at night or during storms. In space, the sun never sets, offering a 24/7 energy supply. Aetherflux’s constellation could one day power everything from rural villages to forward-operating military bases, cutting carbon emissions and boosting energy resilience.
Globally, competitors like China and the European Space Agency are racing to deploy their own space solar systems. Aetherflux’s 2026 demo puts it in the running to lead this emerging industry, potentially unlocking a multi-billion-dollar market.
What’s Next for Aetherflux?
With $50 million in the bank and a stellar team, Aetherflux is moving fast. The startup is scouting military sites for its first ground station and hiring more talent to refine its tech. The 2026 mission is just the beginning—Bhatt’s ultimate goal is a sprawling satellite network delivering gigawatts of clean energy worldwide.
As Bhatt shared on the TechCrunch Equity podcast, this isn’t about reinventing the wheel but industrializing a proven concept. If Aetherflux succeeds, it could turn a 1941 sci-fi story into a 21st-century reality.
A Bright Future for Space Solar Energy
Aetherflux’s $50M raise and 2026 demo mission mark a bold step toward space-based solar power. Backed by top investors and driven by Baiju Bhatt’s vision, this startup is bridging science fiction and science fact. Whether it’s powering remote regions, supporting military operations, or fighting climate change, Aetherflux could redefine how we tap into the sun’s endless energy.
Stay tuned for updates on this clean energy innovation—and let us know in the comments what you think about space solar power’s future…
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