f36f18d50f
Some checks are pending
Sync Graph Data to teleo-app / sync (push) Waiting to run
Pipeline auto-fixer: removed [[ ]] brackets from links that don't resolve to existing claims in the knowledge base.
82 lines
No EOL
3.6 KiB
Markdown
82 lines
No EOL
3.6 KiB
Markdown
---
|
|
type: entity
|
|
entity_type: company
|
|
name: Aetherflux
|
|
founded: ~2023
|
|
headquarters: United States
|
|
founders: [Baiju Bhatt]
|
|
status: active
|
|
domain: space-development
|
|
secondary_domains: [energy]
|
|
tags: [SBSP, space-based-solar-power, orbital-data-center, infrared-laser, LEO, dual-use, defense]
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
# Aetherflux
|
|
|
|
**Type:** Space infrastructure company
|
|
**Focus:** Space-based solar power (SBSP) and orbital data centers (ODC) using shared LEO satellite infrastructure
|
|
**Founded:** ~2023
|
|
**Founders:** Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood)
|
|
|
|
## Overview
|
|
|
|
Aetherflux develops LEO satellite infrastructure for power generation and transmission using infrared laser technology. The company's architecture serves three use cases with the same physical hardware: (1) powering orbital AI compute workloads (ODC), (2) beaming power to Earth (SBSP), and (3) military logistics applications (forward operating location power delivery).
|
|
|
|
## Technology Approach
|
|
|
|
- **Orbit:** Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with continuous solar exposure, not GEO megastructures
|
|
- **Transmission:** Infrared laser with 10-meter spot size at ground receiver, not microwave
|
|
- **Architecture:** Shared infrastructure serving ODC (near-term) and SBSP (long-term) use cases
|
|
- **Bus:** Apex Space satellite bus platform
|
|
|
|
## Business Model
|
|
|
|
Sequential monetization of the same satellite infrastructure:
|
|
1. **Near-term (2027):** Orbital data center services (Galactic Brain project)
|
|
2. **Mid-term:** Defense power transmission to forward operating locations
|
|
3. **Long-term:** Space-based solar power to terrestrial grid
|
|
|
|
## Strategic Rationale
|
|
|
|
CEO Baiju Bhatt stated that circa late 2024, the team realized "powering AI workloads by placing compute in orbit and feeding via space-based solar power is more economically attractive than transmitting energy to terrestrial facilities." This insight led to ODC as the near-term revenue case while maintaining SBSP as the long-term value proposition.
|
|
|
|
## Timeline
|
|
|
|
- **2023** — Company founded by Baiju Bhatt
|
|
- **2025-04** — Series A funding round (~$50M cumulative raised)
|
|
- **2025-04** — DoD awards venture funds for LEO power transmission proof-of-concept
|
|
- **2025-04** — Falcon 9 Transporter rideshare booked for 2026 demonstration mission
|
|
- **2025-12** — Orbital data center project (Galactic Brain) publicly announced
|
|
- **2026** — Planned demonstration mission: kilowatt-class spacecraft with infrared laser power transmission from LEO to ground
|
|
- **2026-04** — Series B negotiation ($250-350M at $2B valuation, led by Index Ventures)
|
|
- **2027-Q1** — Target date for Galactic Brain commercial operation
|
|
|
|
## Funding
|
|
|
|
- **Total raised (as of April 2026):** ~$80 million
|
|
- **Series B (in negotiation):** $250-350M at $2B valuation, led by Index Ventures
|
|
- **DoD venture funding:** Awarded for proof-of-concept demonstration (amount undisclosed)
|
|
|
|
## Key Projects
|
|
|
|
### 2026 Demonstration Mission
|
|
- **Launch:** SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter rideshare
|
|
- **Bus:** Apex Space satellite platform
|
|
- **Payload:** Kilowatt-class power transmission system
|
|
- **Objective:** Demonstrate wireless power transmission from LEO to ground using infrared laser
|
|
- **Funding:** Series A capital + DoD venture funds
|
|
|
|
### Galactic Brain (Orbital Data Center)
|
|
- **Target launch:** Q1 2027
|
|
- **Use case:** AI compute workloads powered by space-based solar
|
|
- **Revenue model:** Commercial compute services
|
|
|
|
## Related Entities
|
|
|
|
- [[apex-space]] — Satellite bus manufacturer
|
|
- spacex — Launch provider (Falcon 9 Transporter rideshare)
|
|
|
|
## Sources
|
|
|
|
- TechCrunch Series A coverage, April 2025
|
|
- Company statements and program documentation, 2025-2026 |