Oris Closes €5M to Build In-Orbit Energy Network

The big picture: Oris, a Turin-based deep-tech start-up, has closed a €5 million pre-seed funding round, including grants. The company is developing wireless laser power transmission systems for space and dual-use applications, aiming to establish an in-orbit energy distribution network.

Why it matters:

• Growing demand: The new generation of satellites is increasingly capable and energy-intensive, requiring additional power directly in orbit to maximize operational potential.
• Extended missions: On-demand power can enable satellite operators to use payloads more frequently, operate during eclipses, and extend the operational life of missions as solar panels degrade.
• Redefining design: The availability of energy as a commodity in orbit could fundamentally change how future satellite missions are designed, allowing for more ambitious operations and optimized electrical power systems.

How it works:

• Laser transmission: Oris’s core technology involves wireless laser power transmission to deliver energy to satellites in orbit, addressing the limitations of onboard power generation.
• Dual-use validation: The company’s Loona prototype platform, developed as part of NATO’s Diana acceleration programme, demonstrates wireless drone recharging, serving as a terrestrial testbed for its laser-based energy transmission capabilities.
• Future applications: Beyond in-orbit satellite power, Oris is exploring lunar applications, including wireless energy transmission to surface assets like rovers, a use case already studied for Thales Alenia Space.

The catch: The space energy market is nascent and highly complex, facing significant challenges in regulatory frameworks, orbital debris, and the long development cycles inherent in space technology. While Oris’s dual-use approach provides short-term validation, scaling laser power transmission in the harsh space environment for widespread commercial viability remains a substantial technical and economic hurdle.