Astro Digital Becomes First Customer for Space-Based Power Grid
Astro Digital has become the first customer of the space-based power grid. A landmark deal brings satellites one step closer to plugging into shared power in orbit.
A Shift From Self-Powered Spacecraft
For more than six decades, every spacecraft launched into orbit has relied on its own onboard power, usually generated by solar panels and / or stored in batteries. This has meant tight energy budgets, limits on what satellites can do, and higher costs for operators.
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That model may soon change. Star Catcher Industries is building what it calls the first-ever “power grid in space,” a network designed to beam energy directly to satellites. The company has now signed a power purchase agreement with Astro Digital, a US satellite manufacturer.
What the Deal Means
Astro Digital, which provides spacecraft platforms and mission services for commercial and government customers, plans to tap into Star Catcher’s in-development system. The agreement allows its Corvus XL satellites to access several times more power than they could generate on their own, without increasing their physical size.
Chris Biddy, CEO of Astro Digital, said demand for stronger platforms is rising fast. The system could allow small spacecraft to scale from single-kilowatt buses to more than 10 kW, unlocking new possibilities for uses such as space data centres, direct-to-cell connectivity, AI-powered operations and space domain awareness.
How Star Catcher’s System Works
Instead of relying solely on solar panels attached to each satellite, Star Catcher’s network will use dedicated “power nodes.” These collect and concentrate solar energy, then transmit it wirelessly to other spacecraft. According to CEO Andrew Rush, energy remains the single biggest limitation for orbital missions.
Next steps for the space grid
Star Catcher has already demonstrated its technology on Earth, including a live power-beaming test at Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium in March 2025. It plans a larger trial later this year at Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility, followed by its first on-orbit test in 2026.
The company raised $12.25 million in seed funding in July 2024 and is positioning itself as a potential game-changer for the space economy, where power demand is set to grow alongside advances in satellite processing, communications and defence needs.
If successful, the Star Catcher Network could reshape how spacecraft are designed and operated, shifting from a “bring your own power” model to a shared orbital utility.
Kerry’s been writing professionally for over 14 years, after graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Multimedia Journalism from Canterbury Christ Church University. She joined Orbital Today in 2022. She covers everything from UK launch updates to how the wider space ecosystem is evolving. She enjoys digging into the detail and explaining complex topics in a way that feels straightforward. Before writing about space, Kerry spent years working with cybersecurity companies. She’s written a lot about threat intelligence, data protection, and how cyber and space are increasingly overlapping, whether that’s satellite security or national defence. With a strong background in tech writing, she’s used to making tricky, technical subjects more approachable. That mix of innovation, complexity, and real-world impact is what keeps her interested in the space sector.
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