Star Catcher Industries to Launch Groundbreaking Power Beaming Demonstration in Space

Star Catcher Industries to Launch Power Beaming Prototype

In an exciting development for the future of energy in space, Star Catcher Industries, Inc., has prepared its revolutionary power node prototype, named Protostar, for launch. Scheduled for takeoff at Vandenberg Space Force Base as part of SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission in October 2026, the mission aims to conduct an unprecedented power beaming demonstration between two untethered spacecraft. This groundbreaking experiment is set to lay the foundation for an orbital energy infrastructure that will influence the next era of space exploration.

Star Catcher, which was founded in 2024, has already made significant strides in demonstrating its power beaming technology within Earth’s atmosphere. Notably, the company set a world record for optical power beaming at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In late 2025, Star Catcher also successfully completed an on-orbit demonstration of its proprietary spacecraft acquisition and tracking software, named Sextant Alpha. These accomplishments have paved the way for the rapid development and readiness of the Protostar launch.

Michael Snyder, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Star Catcher, comments on the remarkable achievement: _“It takes an extraordinary engineering team to build, validate, and ship a space-qualified orbital power beaming spacecraft within two years of inception.”_ Snyder further emphasizes the mission's importance, stating that it will yield critical operational data in real-world orbital conditions to support the construction of a commercial power grid in space.

The Protostar mission represents the first comprehensive prototype that utilizes the company’s core technology stack, which encompasses orbital energy harvesting, satellite acquisition, tracking, and energy transmission capabilities. Once in orbit, Protostar is set to deploy and track a CubeSat to which it will beam measurable power, testing the feasibility of commercial power beaming operations via off-the-shelf solar panels. This groundbreaking effort will mark the first time that optical power is beamed between two free-flying spacecraft—an essential development for wireless power transmission in space.

Andrew Rush, co-founder and CEO of Star Catcher, highlights the implications of their technology: _“Every major application driving the space economy — from real-time national security intelligence to AI-powered orbital computing and Earth observation — is limited by power.”_ Rush expresses confidence that we are closer to activating an orbital power grid than most might expect, with the successful launch of Protostar serving as tangible proof of their team’s capabilities.

Star Catcher Industries has publicly announced an impressive array of commercial Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), including collaborations with prominent names in the space industry such as Starcloud, Loft Orbital, Astro Digital, and Aethero. Additionally, the company has garnered substantial interest with over 40 Letters of Intent (LOIs) and has received a $60 million Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) Award from the United States Space Force, alongside $88 million in venture capital. These resources are fueling the company’s technological advancements and preparations for a follow-on satellite that will transmit operational levels of orbital power.

To meet the rapid growth of its industry ventures, Star Catcher is aiming to double its workforce and build out a new 100,000 square foot headquarters in Jacksonville, FL. Reeded development on Protostar indicates the momentum behind a project that not only aims to redefine energy in space but also offers a sustainable approach for future explorations and missions.

Star Catcher’s bold vision hinges on its commitment to eliminate power limitations for spacecraft, enabling continuous operations, extended mission durations, and support for higher power payloads, thereby eliminating the need for significant redesigns of existing platforms. Founded in 2024 by industry veterans Andrew Rush and Michael Snyder, along with Bryan Lyandvert, the company has swiftly captured attention and resources, driving innovative solutions in the evolving space economy. To learn more about Star Catcher Industries and its initiatives, visit www.star-catcher.com.