Thermal Management for High Powered Energy Beaming Systems
AFWERX · AFWERX STRATFI · AFWERX
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Description
Star Catcher Industries proposes a novel thermal management solution to enable high duty cycle optical power beaming in space, addressing a persistent capability gap in the Department of the Air Force (DAF): insufficient onboard power for advanced satellite functions. Spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) frequently lack the power necessary to support high performance computing, directed energy systems, electric propulsion, and advanced sensing capabilities. This limits mission uptime, operational flexibility, and responsiveness, particularly during eclipse periods or in contested environments. The Star Catcher Network is a scalable space based optical power beaming architecture that delivers concentrated solar energy to unmodified satellite solar arrays. The architecture comprises Power Nodes, satellites equipped with modular Fresnel lens collectors, solar pumped lasers, steerable optics, and passive tracking systems, and Relay Sats, which transfer power during eclipse. This enables persistent on demand energy delivery without requiring hardware modifications to client satellites. Phase I validated key subsystems and demonstrated energy beaming over 100 meters and autonomous satellite tracking at 1,500 kilometers, achieving TRL 5. Phase II focuses on maturing the Network’s thermal management system (TMS), a critical enabler for sustained power transmission. The TMS captures, dissipates, and recycles heat from high power subsystems using heat sinks, cold plates, phase change materials, and thermoelectric generators to maintain thermal stability and convert waste heat into additional usable power. Tasks include modeling heat flow in key components, building a compact modular prototype, conducting laboratory testing, and demonstrating integrated subsystem performance under simulated space conditions. The proposed solution advances critical technology areas identified by OUSD(R&E): Space Technology, Energy Resilience, and Directed Energy. It supports DAF objectives for energy independent operations, enhanced maneuverability, and resilient satellite support. Operationally, the system enables longer duty cycles, better radar tracking, and real time optical characterization of space objects, contributing to missions such as space domain awareness (SDA), maneuver support, and orbital ISR. Star Catcher has secured five power purchase agreements and over $14 billion in nonbinding commercial LOIs, indicating strong dual use commercial demand. The company has raised $12 million in private capital, received $2 million in non-dilutive support, and is supported by AFRL and SSC as committed stakeholders. The proposed Phase II effort will culminate in a validated TMS prototype supporting transition to STRATFI and Phase III deployment. This effort directly contributes to resilient U.S. space infrastructure and supports the long term strategic goals of the U.S. Space Force.