Uzayda İki Uydu Arasında Kablosuz Enerji Transferi Gerçekleştirilecek
Star Catcher Industries is preparing to test wireless energy transfer between spacecraft under real orbital conditions. The company’s prototype spacecraft, named Protostar, is set to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in October 2026 as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission. The mission will demonstrate energy transfer using optical methods between two independent spacecraft.
A First Will Be Achieved
This test represents a crucial step in the company’s plan to develop a larger system that provides energy to satellites in orbit. If successful, it will demonstrate that spacecraft can transfer usable amounts of energy to each other without any physical connections.
Protostar consolidates the fundamental technologies necessary for the orbital energy network envisioned by Star Catcher into a single system. The spacecraft is capable of collecting energy, detecting another spacecraft, and tracking a moving target. It can then direct the collected energy to the target spacecraft via an optical beam.
As part of the mission, a CubeSat will also be utilized alongside Protostar. This CubeSat will carry commercially available solar panels and will serve as the receiver for energy transfer. Protostar will direct the energy beam to these panels to measure the amount of energy being transferred.
The experiment will not only test energy transfer but also evaluate the ability of spacecraft to locate and follow one another under real orbital conditions. The continuous motion of the spacecraft makes it challenging to detect targets and accurately direct the energy beam, making the data collected crucial for operational processes.
Goals for Providing Energy to Satellites in Orbit
Star Catcher views wireless energy transfer as a solution to the increasing power needs in space. The planned system aims to enable satellites to receive additional energy in orbit without relying solely on their solar panels and energy production systems.
Star Catcher has announced 10 energy purchase agreements with various space companies, including Starcloud, Loft Orbital, Astro Digital, and Aethero. Additionally, it has reportedly received more than 40 letters of intent from potential customers.
Following Protostar, Star Catcher has also begun the development of a larger spacecraft capable of performing energy transfer at a usable scale. This craft aims not only to undergo prototype tests but also to operationally supply energy to satellites in orbit.
