The U.S. Space Force has awarded Pulse Space, a startup focused on laser-based energy transmission, a $40 million contract to advance technology that could wirelessly beam power and data between spacecraft. The agreement, announced this week, marks a significant investment in a concept that could reshape how satellites are designed, refueled, and operated in orbit.
Pulse Space is developing laser systems that can transmit both power and data across space, potentially allowing satellites to receive energy from other spacecraft rather than relying solely on their own solar panels or onboard batteries. The technology aims to address one of the fundamental limitations of current satellite operations: the finite amount of power available to a spacecraft once it is deployed.
The $40 million award comes from the Space Force's Space Systems Command, which oversees the development and acquisition of space technologies for the U.S. military. The contract is part of a broader effort to explore innovative power solutions that could extend the lifespan of satellites, enable more flexible mission designs, and reduce the need for large, heavy power systems on individual spacecraft.
Laser power transmission works by converting electrical energy into a laser beam, which is then directed at a receiver on another spacecraft. The receiver converts the laser light back into electricity, effectively creating a wireless power link. The same system can also be used to transmit data at high speeds, offering a dual-purpose capability that could simplify satellite design and reduce costs.
The technology has potential applications beyond military use. Commercial satellite operators could use laser power transmission to keep their spacecraft operational longer, reducing the need for costly replacements. It could also enable new types of missions, such as clusters of small satellites that share power among themselves, or spacecraft that can be recharged by a dedicated power station in orbit.
Pulse Space, based in California, was founded by a team of engineers and physicists with backgrounds in laser systems, space propulsion, and satellite design. The company has been working on laser power transmission for several years and has demonstrated key components in laboratory settings. The Space Force contract will allow the company to move from lab demonstrations to space-qualified hardware, with the goal of testing the system in orbit within the next few years.
The award is part of a growing interest in wireless power transmission for space applications. NASA and other space agencies have studied the concept for decades, but recent advances in laser efficiency, beam control, and thermal management have made it more practical. The Space Force's investment signals that the technology is now considered mature enough to pursue for operational use.
One of the key challenges for laser power transmission is maintaining a precise beam over long distances. Even a slight misalignment can cause the beam to miss the receiver, wasting energy and potentially damaging other spacecraft. Pulse Space says it has developed advanced tracking and pointing systems that can keep the beam locked onto a moving target, even when the spacecraft are thousands of kilometers apart.
Another challenge is the efficiency of the conversion process. Current laser power systems can achieve efficiencies of around 20 to 30 percent, meaning that a significant amount of energy is lost as heat during transmission. Pulse Space is working to improve this efficiency through better laser designs and more sensitive receivers, with the goal of reaching 50 percent or higher in operational systems.
The Space Force contract covers the development of a prototype system that could be tested on a dedicated satellite or as a payload on an existing spacecraft. If successful, the technology could be integrated into future satellite designs, allowing spacecraft to be smaller, lighter, and more capable than current models.
The award also highlights the growing role of startups in the space industry. Pulse Space is one of several small companies that have received Space Force contracts in recent years, as the military seeks to tap into the innovation and agility of the commercial sector. The contract is structured as a fixed-price agreement, meaning that Pulse Space will bear some of the financial risk if the project encounters delays or technical problems.
Industry analysts say the technology could have a transformative impact on the space economy. Wireless power transmission could enable satellites to operate in orbits where sunlight is limited, such as low Earth orbit during eclipse periods, or in deep space where solar panels are less effective. It could also reduce the amount of fuel that satellites need to carry for station-keeping, since they could receive power from a central source rather than generating it themselves.
The Space Force has not disclosed a specific timeline for the project, but Pulse Space has indicated that it expects to conduct an in-orbit demonstration within three to five years. The company is also exploring partnerships with other satellite manufacturers and operators to integrate the technology into future missions.
For now, the $40 million award represents a major vote of confidence in a technology that has long been considered promising but difficult to implement. If Pulse Space succeeds, it could open the door to a new era of satellite operations, where power is shared, transferred, and managed across constellations of spacecraft, much like electricity is distributed across a terrestrial power grid.