Billionaire Launches Ambitious Space Solar Power Venture
Nationwide, Thursday, 10 October 2024.
Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, unveils Aetherflux, a startup aiming to revolutionize energy distribution through space-based solar power. The company plans to launch thousands of small satellites to beam solar energy to Earth using infrared lasers, targeting remote locations and disaster areas initially.
Aetherflux: A New Paradigm in Solar Power
Aetherflux, founded by American billionaire Baiju Bhatt, represents a significant leap forward in the realm of sustainable energy. This innovative venture was publicly announced on 9 October 2024, and it aims to deploy a constellation of satellites into low Earth orbit. These satellites will capture solar energy and transmit it back to Earth using cutting-edge infrared laser technology. Unlike traditional models that rely on large, geostationary satellites, Aetherflux’s strategy involves smaller, more numerous satellites, which promise greater scalability and affordability[1][2].
Targeting Remote and Challenging Environments
The initial focus of Aetherflux will be on isolated military bases, islands, and regions impacted by natural disasters—locations where traditional energy sources are prohibitively expensive or logistically challenging to deploy. Bhatt envisions Aetherflux as a transformative force in these areas, offering a reliable and renewable energy source that can operate continuously, unaffected by the day-night cycle on Earth[3].
Technical Challenges and Future Prospects
While the concept of space-based solar power has been explored for decades, Aetherflux seeks to overcome the traditional obstacles through its modular satellite approach. A demonstration mission is anticipated by late 2025 or early 2026, which, if successful, will set a new benchmark in distance for power transmission from space. This mission will involve a ‘kilowatt-class’ spacecraft with a transmission spot size of 10 meters, paving the way for more ambitious initiatives aimed at reducing the cost per kilowatt-hour[4].
Financial Backing and Strategic Vision
Bhatt has personally invested millions of dollars into Aetherflux, leveraging his significant resources and industry connections. The company, currently employing fewer than ten people, is in its initial phases of development. Bhatt’s ‘crawl, walk, run’ strategy highlights a phased approach to achieving commercial viability, with the ultimate goal of powering diverse applications globally. This ambitious endeavor is buoyed by Bhatt’s background in physics and his passion for space exploration, a passion inspired by his father’s work at NASA[5].