The declining cost of solar power has led to a surge in renewable energy, but the land required for solar farms is a concern. Billionaire Baiju Bhatt aims to address this issue by building solar panels in space through his company Aetherflux. This futuristic concept involves constructing a constellation of power-generating satellites and receiving stations to beam energy back to Earth. Bhatt believes this approach offers resilience and scalability, with smaller, cheaper satellites orbiting the planet every 90 minutes.
Space-based solar power is not a new idea, with NASA and other agencies exploring it in the 1970s. However, the field is experiencing a resurgence due to the need for clean energy and reduced launch costs enabled by companies like SpaceX. Other companies like Virtus Solis and Reflect Orbital are also working on space-based solar projects, utilizing different technologies to harness solar energy in orbit. Aetherflux stands out with its use of infrared lasers for power transmission, allowing for smaller satellites and reduced ground footprint.
Aetherflux’s innovative approach involves utilizing existing tools and technology to build a network of power-generating satellites. Bhatt’s background in physics and passion for space exploration have driven him to pursue this ambitious project, stepping down from his role at Robinhood to focus on Aetherflux. With a personal fortune estimated at over $1.5 billion, Bhatt plans to self-fund the company’s initial mission to launch a satellite for technology testing in 2025.
While self-funding the initial phase, Bhatt acknowledges that Aetherflux will require significant external capital to expand operations. Potential sources of funding may come from the private sector or government entities like the Department of Defense, which could utilize the technology for remote locations or military applications. The company plans to explore various customer applications, including powering remote mining operations, where traditional power infrastructure is challenging to establish.
Bhatt envisions Aetherflux as part of a transformative era in space exploration, with orbital infrastructure playing a vital role in supporting life on Earth. The company’s goal is to demonstrate the benefits of space-based power generation within the next decade and prove the feasibility of this innovative approach. As the world shifts towards cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions, projects like Aetherflux could pave the way for a new frontier in renewable energy technology.
