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Volta Space Technologies, a Montreal-based startup with a presence in the US, has revealed an ambitious plan to establish a satellite network around the moon aimed at supplying power to lunar spacecraft.
Announced on October 10, the network, dubbed “LightGrid,” will harness solar energy collected by satellites in orbit around the moon and transmit it via lasers. This innovative technology will allow lunar landers and rovers to function during the fortnight-long lunar night or even within permanently shadowed craters.
The LightGrid system is designed to offer a dependable energy source for lunar exploration missions when solar power is not available. Satellites will orbit the moon, gathering solar energy and beaming it down to receivers mounted on various spacecraft and rovers.
Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Paolo Pino explained that this system could eventually be extended to power additional lunar infrastructure, including sensors and resource extraction facilities. Meanwhile, co-founder and CEO Justin Zipkin shared that the inspiration for Volta stemmed from a project at the International Space University, which led the team to participate in NASA’s Watts on the Moon competition.
The startup has attracted considerable interest, with potential contracts estimated at over $250 million. Volta has already developed laser power transmission technology, successfully conducting tests over distances of up to 850 meters. The next significant milestone involves testing the system in Earth’s orbit, which is scheduled for 2026.
Initially, the LightGrid network is expected to comprise three small satellites placed in low lunar orbit, providing comprehensive power services to clients on the lunar surface. According to Pino, these satellites can be scaled up by incorporating additional units into the network, which provides an advantage over traditional power infrastructure on the moon.
Paul Damphousse, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the benefits of operating from lunar orbit. He noted that this approach allows for global coverage right from the outset and simplifies operations compared to landing equipment directly on the lunar surface.
Volta has secured initial seed funding from investors, including MaC Venture Capital and Industrious Ventures, and has also received grants and awards from NASA, the Department of Defense, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency.
As Volta prepares for a Series A funding round, it anticipates the need for a subsequent Series B round to implement the first phase of the LightGrid network by 2028. The company is also exploring further applications for its technology, such as enabling power transmission between space platforms, sending energy from space to Earth, and supporting emergency services like power and communication during disaster relief efforts.
Damphousse pointed out that Volta is also investigating potential uses of its technology for aerial and maritime applications. The team at Volta Space Technologies recognizes the strong connections between lunar operations and Earth applications, with plans to adapt their innovations for various other fields in the future.
The vision laid out by Volta is set to play a crucial role in influencing future lunar missions and the broader framework of space infrastructure.
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