Zero Industries Raises $3 Million for Orbital Power
The startup plans to use laser-based transmission to supply electricity between satellites in orbit.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Space
Live Poll
Do you trust private companies to develop reliable solutions for critical space infrastructure?
Zero Industries has secured $3 million in pre-seed funding to develop its Helios system. This research-stage technology aims to use lasers to transmit electricity between satellites in orbit.
Why it matters
The Helios system seeks to decrease spacecraft reliance on heavy onboard batteries and solar panels by enabling orbital power transfer. This approach could change how satellite constellations manage energy resources during mission operations.
Zero Industries raised $3 million in pre-seed capital for its Helios system. The company aims to move beyond traditional power storage by using lasers to beam electricity between orbital platforms.
The players
Zero Industries
A startup developing laser-based power transmission systems for orbital satellite infrastructure.
Kai Sugihara
The 16-year-old CEO of Zero Industries leading the development of the Helios system.
The details
The Helios system is designed to transmit energy between satellites using lasers to overcome the physical limitations of chemical batteries and solar arrays. By allowing satellites to share power, the system functions as an orbital power grid that could theoretically extend mission life. The mechanism involves point-to-point laser coupling to transfer electrical energy across vacuum conditions in space.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: Article publication date.
The Tech Race
The Helios system attempts to address energy constraints in satellite constellations, following a trend set by space-based solar power initiatives. This project represents a shift toward active orbital power sharing between spacecraft as an alternative to reliance on internal batteries.
This development is currently in the research stage and will not immediately change satellite operations or costs. Industry observers should watch for future technical benchmarks regarding laser transmission efficiency to determine the system's viability for commercial use.
The takeaway
Zero Industries aims to reduce the weight and energy storage requirements of future satellites through orbital laser power. Readers should track upcoming performance demonstrations to see if the technology can overcome the inherent losses in long-distance laser energy transmission.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in orbital infrastructure at Space.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SpaceWatch.
Live Poll
Do you trust private companies to develop reliable solutions for critical space infrastructure?
