Ascent Solar, Star Catcher Partner for Space-to-Space Solar Power Breakthrough

A US flexible thin film solar photovoltaic (PV) solutions provider, Ascent Solar Technologies, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Star Catcher Industries, a space energy company building the world’s first space-to-space power beaming grid. 

The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of thin-film PV technologies for space (space solar) applications. It is expected to enable satellite operators and spacecraft to achieve new levels of power efficiency, the official statement insists.

Star Catcher Industries claims that its innovative power beaming service can transmit concentrated solar energy directly to existing onboard solar arrays. This arrangement boosts energy output by five to ten times without retrofitting requirements. 

Focus Areas of Collaboration

The partnership will explore several key initiatives. 

Among the prime initiatives is power augmentation with the Ascent customers gaining access to Star Catcher’s advanced beamed energy platform. This technology allows for continual power enhancement, particularly during periods of high demand.

Star Catcher’s platform also introduces the ability to supply backup power during unforeseen outages, such as those caused by eclipses or technical failures. In addition, flexible thin-film PV technology of Ascent bundled with Star Catcher's power augmentation capabilities promises efficient energy solutions tailored to the unique needs of space operations, said Ascent Solar.

The partnership aims to establish Demonstration Missions to showcase and validate the effectiveness of these combined technologies, both on the ground and in orbit, paving the way for wider adoption of these next-generation power solutions in the space sector.

Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies, highlighting the significance of the agreement, said, “Working in tandem with Star Catcher opens up several new possibilities and market opportunities. Through this MOU, our companies will be able to tackle joint customer and mission objectives, and further work toward the proliferation of improved solar solutions in orbit to meet growing demand for next-generation power solutions.”

Ascent Solar and Star Catcher

Ascent Solar Technologies provides flexible thin-film solar panels. Their PV modules are already deployed on space missions, airborne vehicles, agrivoltaic installations, and other consumer and industrial products. The company’s main research and development centre, as well as its 5 MW production facility, are located in Thornton, Colorado.

Founded in 2024 by seasoned space entrepreneurs Andrew Rush, Bryan Lyandvert, and Michael Snyder, Star Catcher raised a USD 12.25 million seed round in July 2024, co-led by Initialized Capital and B Capital. The firm has tied up with several companies, including Satlyt Partner, to unlock scalable edge computing, Mission Space Partner, to revolutionise space weather monitoring and power delivery, and Space Florida to advance ‘the world’s first space energy grid.’

Space Solar

The space solar technology is an emerging sector of solar power usage that is poised to offer substantial benefits. A recent study from King’s College London says that using solar power generated in space could dramatically reduce Europe’s land needs for renewable energy - by as much as 80 percent.