Virtus Solis

​Virtus Solis is the world's first space-based solar power energy generation system able to directly compete with conventional and renewable energy sources with none of the drawbacks.

Created: 2021-07-28

Updated: 2024-02-29

Company - Virtus Solis

Founded
Country
2018
USA,UK
Funding
$0.4M+
Website
https://www.virtussolis.space/
Social
Virtus Solis

Product/Service

Classification
Space Utilities
Category
Space Solar Power
Power Beaming
Resources - Energy
Fields
Space Solar Power
Wireless Power Transfer
Status
Development
First launch
2027

Was awarded $200,000 for the NASA Centennial Challenge: Watts on the Moon Phase 2. This challenge describes delivering energy across 3km from a variable source and delivering to a load at the other end - which we solved with our core wireless power transfer technology and a novel energy storage system. Won $200,000 as one of the 7 winning teams of Phase 2, Level 1 of NASA's Watts on the Moon Challenge.

Access to to low-cost energy is the greatest lever for universal prosperity. We believe the primary energy market, which is 85% powered by fossil fuels has no equitable path to sustainability with current technology. The intermittency and non-dispatchable nature of wind and terrestrial solar are not solvable with known battery energy storage at any cost. Space-based solar avoids the need for storage by beaming energy from sun-lit space through weather and night to anywhere on the planet.

Our solution is simultaneously scalable, low-cost, safe and clean. We can enable large scale desalination, recycling and chemical synthesis, as well as urban vertical farming as examples..

How our Space-Based Solar Power System Works:

  1. Solar power gathered in space by small satellites with high efficiency solar panels.
  2. Satellites are grouped into massive arrays--100,000 satellites for 100MW--allowing for a highly scalable energy platform.
  3. Satellites are in sunlight all of the time with long dwell time over the northern/southern hemisphere due to orbital characteristics.
  4. Solar energy is converted to microwaves to beam energy to ground - rectennas gather microwave energy and convert to electricity.
  5. Energy can then be sold into the power grid or supply high demand users with energy directly.

The first analysis tool able to simulate full scale orbital wireless power transfer. The below online optimization is the first to simulate more than 10^6 antennas, in fact it is 4.26x10^9 10GHz antennas in a 2km array operating at 37,000km separation.

Video of a panelized rectenna (centered on RF-absorbing thermal target) generating power at 100m which is two times orbital distance for the scale of the 1.15m transmit aperture. This is a fraction of the full system we are building, 2023-03-25.

The first fractional space based solar power system Proof of Concept demonstration, 2023-03-21

Orbital Composites and Virtus Solis announce space-based solar power demonstration, SpaceNews, 2024-01-01

Status Comment / Notes

In the next three years (from 2023), VS intends to fly an orbital pilot plant, with its first commercial deployment by 2030.

Similar Organizations

X-Charge

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power, In-Orbit Data Storage, In-Orbit Computing

3K SpaceTech

Dormant, Early stage

1000 Planets

Space Solar Power

1000 Planets

Dormant

Archimedes

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Above Space (Orbital Assembly)

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Airbus

Concept

Orbital Solar

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

Alvior

Dormant, Early stage

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

ARTEMIS Innovation

Concept

Space Solar Power

Arthur D. Little

Concept

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Space Elevator

Astrostrom

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

BEAM Co

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Celestia Energy

Early stage

Space Solar Power

Emerald Telecommunications

Concept

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power

Emrod

Development

Power Beaming, Space Solar Power

EnergySpace Company

Dormant, Early stage

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power

Entropy Research and Development

Dormant, Early stage

Space Solar Power

Frazer-Nash Consultancy

Concept

Infinity Energy

Space Solar Power

Infinity Energy

Early stage

Space Solar Power

Insta-Grid

Concept

CASSIOPeiA

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

International Electric Company

Concept

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Japan Space Systems

Development

Space Solar Power

JX Crystals

Concept

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Karman+

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power

KESE

Concept

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Metasat UK

Development

Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR)

Space Solar Power, Resources - Energy

Northrop Grumman

Development

OHB

Space Solar Power

OHB

Concept

Orbital Genesis

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Orbital Genesis

Early stage

Orbital Power Corporation

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Orbital Power Corporation

Dormant

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Lunar Power Service, Resources - Energy

ORiS (Orbital Recharge in Space)

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Overview Energy

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

ParaLoon

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

PowerSat

Early stage, Dormant

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid, Space Solar Power

Pulse Space (Litepulse)

Early stage

Power Beaming, Space Solar Power

ReBeam (Vrisva Space)

Dormant, Idea

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Reflect Orbital (Tons of Mirrors)

Development

Breakthrough

In-Space Assembly, Microgravity Flight Service (LEO), Space Solar Power

ROVIAL

Development

Space Solar Power, Robotic Arm, In-Space Assembly, Space Robotics

Satellite Applications Catapult

Concept

Power Beaming, Space Solar Power, Resources - Water

Sirin Orbital Systems

Early stage

Power Beaming, Space Solar Power

SKYCHARGE Services Corp (Cavu Aerospace)

Concept

SPS-ALPHA

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Solar Space Technologies

Early stage

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Solar Power

Solar System Resources Corporation

Early stage

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Solaren

Development

Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Hardware

Solestial

Concept, Development

Skybeam

Space Solar Power, In-Space Assembly

Space Applications Services

Concept

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Space Energy

Dormant

Commercial Space Station, Space Tug, Space Tourism Activities, Space Solar Power

Space Island Group

Dormant

Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Space Power

Development

CASSIOPeiA

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Space Solar

Development

Space Tourism Activities, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Spacians

Dormant, Early stage

Star Catcher Network

Space Solar Power

Star Catcher

Development

Project SEEE

Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Stellarion Energy  (STELLA)

Dormant, Concept

Receiv'Air

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Thales Alenia Space

Concept

X-Charge

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power, In-Orbit Data Storage, In-Orbit Computing

3K SpaceTech

Dormant, Early stage

Archimedes

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Above Space (Orbital Assembly)

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Airbus

Concept

Orbital Solar

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

Alvior

Dormant, Early stage

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

Aphelia Space

Development

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

Aquila Earth

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

ARTEMIS Innovation

Concept

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Space Elevator

Astrostrom

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

BEAM Co

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Celestia Energy

Early stage

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

Draper Laboratory

Development

Electric Moon

Power Beaming

Electric Moon

Development

Power Beaming

Electric Sky

Development

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power

Emrod

Development

Power Beaming, Space Solar Power

EnergySpace Company

Dormant, Early stage

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power

Entropy Research and Development

Dormant, Early stage

CASSIOPeiA

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

International Electric Company

Concept

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Japan Space Systems

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Karman+

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power

KESE

Concept

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Power Beaming, In-Space Assembly

Light Mirror

Early stage

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Metasat UK

Development

Orbital Genesis

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Orbital Genesis

Early stage

Orbital Power Corporation

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Orbital Power Corporation

Dormant

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Lunar Power Service, Resources - Energy

ORiS (Orbital Recharge in Space)

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Overview Energy

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

ParaLoon

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

Photonicity

Early stage

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

Powerlight

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

PowerSat

Early stage, Dormant

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid, Space Solar Power

Pulse Space (Litepulse)

Early stage

Power Beaming, Space Solar Power

ReBeam (Vrisva Space)

Dormant, Idea

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Reflect Orbital (Tons of Mirrors)

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

Roland Berger

Concept

RTX

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

RTX Corporation (Raytheon)

Development

Luna Ring

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Hardware

Shimizu Corporation

Concept

Power Beaming, Space Solar Power, Resources - Water

Sirin Orbital Systems

Early stage

Power Beaming, Space Solar Power

SKYCHARGE Services Corp (Cavu Aerospace)

Concept

SPS-ALPHA

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Solar Space Technologies

Early stage

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

Solar.Space

Dormant, Idea

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Solaren

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Space Energy

Dormant

Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Space Power

Development

CASSIOPeiA

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Space Solar

Development

In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Assembly, Docking, Hardware, Power Beaming

Spacebilt (SkyCorp)

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

Spacefaring Services

Dormant

Space Tourism Activities, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Spacians

Dormant, Early stage

Project SEEE

Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Stellarion Energy  (STELLA)

Dormant, Concept

MPR (Mobile Power Rover)

Commercial Rover, Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

STELLS

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

SunCubes

Development

Receiv'Air

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Thales Alenia Space

Concept

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

The Lunar Grid

Dormant

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid

Volta Space Technologies (Eternal Light)

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

XISP (Xtraordinary Innovative Space Partnerships)

Early stage

X-Charge

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power, In-Orbit Data Storage, In-Orbit Computing

3K SpaceTech

Dormant, Early stage

Mini Modular Reactor (MMR)

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power

AGPower92

Early stage, Dormant

Orbital Solar

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

Alvior

Dormant, Early stage

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power

Antares

Development

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

Aphelia Space

Development

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

Aquila Earth

Development

LunaGrid

Resources - Energy, Lunar Power Service

Astrobotic

Development

Quark

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Resources - Energy, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling

Atomos

Development

Orbitron

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fusion Power

Avalanche Energy

Development

HEBAM

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Energy, Hardware

Azimut Space

Concept

Resources - Energy

Blue Origin

Concept

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power

BWX Technologies

Early stage

LEUNR

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power

Canadian Space Mining Corporation

Early stage

50KW Vertical Solar Array Technology

Resources - Energy, Lunar Power Service

Ceres Robotics

Development

Resources - Energy, Hardware

Clara Venture Labs

Development

Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid

Constanellis Aerospace

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

Draper Laboratory

Development

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power

Emrod

Development

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power

Entropy Research and Development

Dormant, Early stage

Resources - Energy, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Extraterrestrial Power

Concept

Nuclear Fission Power, Orbital Transportation, Resources - Energy, Hardware, Transport Service (LEO-Moon)

Gryphon Technologies (ManTech)

Development

Helicity Drive

Resources - Energy, Space Tug, Nuclear Fusion Power, In-Space Logistics

Helicity Space

Early stage

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Resources, Resources - Energy, Space Robotics, Robotic Arm

Honda Motor Co

Development

LUNARSABER

Resources - Energy, Space Robotics

Honeybee Robotics (Blue Origin)

Development

SPRINT, SPEAR

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Solar Thermal Propulsion, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Howe Industries

Concept

Resources - Energy

Ion Power Group

Idea

IX

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power

IX (Intuitive Machines, X-Energy)

Development

Resources - Energy

KC Space Pirates (Kansas City Space Pirates)

Concept

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power

KESE

Concept

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power

Lockheed Martin

Concept, Development

Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Energy

Lumi Space

Development, Cancelled

Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid

Lunar Night Survival

Dormant, Concept

Farview Observatory, Lunar South Pole Oxygen Pipeline

In-Space Manufacturing, Resources - Energy, Space Construction Company

Lunar Resources

Early stage

TerraBox

Resources - Energy, Resources - Oxygen, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing

Maana Electric

Development

MDA

Canadaarm3, SKYMAKER

On-Orbit Servicing, Space Robotics, Commercial Rover, Resources - Energy, In-Space Assembly, In-Space Manufacturing

MDA Space

Development

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fusion Power

NearStar Fusion

Development

Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR)

Space Solar Power, Resources - Energy

Northrop Grumman

Development

NPT

Resources - Energy, Hardware

NuPromethean Technologies (NPT)

Early stage

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power, Orbital Transportation

OHB Czechspace

Concept

P3 (Power, Prospecting and Propellant)

Resources - Energy, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, Lunar Power Service, Lunar Electric Grid

Orbital Mining Corporation (OMC)

Development

Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Lunar Power Service, Resources - Energy

ORiS (Orbital Recharge in Space)

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

Photonicity

Early stage

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

Powerlight

Development

Direct Fusion Drive (DFD)

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fusion Power

Princeton Satellite Systems

Development

Direct Fusion Drive (DFD)

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fusion Power

Pulsar Fusion

Development

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid, Space Solar Power

Pulse Space (Litepulse)

Early stage

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power

Rocket Engineering

Concept

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

Roland Berger

Concept

Rolls-Royce

Nuclear Fission Power, Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Resources - Energy

Rolls-Royce

Concept

RTX

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

RTX Corporation (Raytheon)

Development

Resources - Energy

Satellite Squared

Dormant, Early stage

Luna Ring

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Hardware

Shimizu Corporation

Concept

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Resources, Resources - Energy

Sierra Space (Sierra Nevada Corp, SNC)

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

Solar.Space

Dormant, Idea

Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Hardware

Solestial

Concept, Development

Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Space Power

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

Spacefaring Services

Dormant

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power

SpaceNukes (Space Nukes,Space Nuclear Power Corporation)

Development

Project SEEE

Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming

Stellarion Energy  (STELLA)

Dormant, Concept

MPR (Mobile Power Rover)

Commercial Rover, Power Beaming, Resources - Energy

STELLS

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

SunCubes

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

The Lunar Grid

Dormant

PULSAR

Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Resources - Energy

Tractbel

Early stage, Concept

Pylon

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power, Commercial Rover, Orbital Transportation

Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC)

Development

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fusion Power

US Nuclear Corp

Development

Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid

Volta Space Technologies (Eternal Light)

Development

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power

Westinghouse

Concept

Xe-100 Reactor

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power

X-Energy

Development

Resources - Energy, Power Beaming

XISP (Xtraordinary Innovative Space Partnerships)

Early stage

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Radioisotope Power

Zeno Power Systems

Development