The U.S. Space Force has awarded a $40 million contract to Bellevue, Washington-based aerospace startup Pulse Space to accelerate the development of laser-based power beaming and orbital tracking technologies. Announced recently, the award aims to mature space-to-space energy transmission systems that could fundamentally change how satellites operate in orbit. The contract represents a major milestone for the two-year-old company as the military seeks to secure its orbital assets and establish resilient space infrastructure.
Wireless Power in the High Frontier
Founded in 2022, Pulse Space specializes in wireless energy transmission designed for the harsh environment of space. The company’s core technology utilizes solar arrays to harvest sunlight in orbit, converting it into laser beams directed at remote satellites or space stations.
This method bypasses the traditional limitations of heavy onboard batteries and solar panels, allowing spacecraft to receive power on demand. Beyond energy delivery, the same laser infrastructure can track orbital debris and transmit high-bandwidth data across vast distances.
Prior to this award, Pulse Space secured a $1.9 million Air Force contract to support laser-based military communications. The company also closed a $5.72 million seed investment round in February, backed by investors including Divergent Capital, GrayArch Partners, Shake and Bake Productions, and Techstars.
Unlocking High-Capacity Power Beaming
The technical specifications of Pulse Space’s proposed satellite constellation highlight the scale of the project. The system aims to transmit 29.7 kilowatts of power to a three-meter (10-foot) target from a distance of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).
Such capability would allow military and commercial satellites to operate with smaller, lighter power systems, reducing launch costs and extending operational lifetimes. The dual-use nature of the technologyu2014combining power, communication, and trackingu2014makes it a highly versatile asset for national security.
“We are honored to partner with the United States Space Force to mature our laser-based technologies,” said Karl Stedman, founder and CEO of Pulse Space. Stedman described the $40 million award as a “defining moment” that paves the way toward a new era of space logistics.
Integration with National Defense Initiatives
The Pentagon’s interest in Pulse Space extends beyond immediate power beaming capabilities. The startup has earned a spot on the Missile Defense Agencyu2019s list of potential vendors for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program.
With a budget ceiling of $151 billion, the SHIELD initiative represents the cornerstone of the military’s Golden Dome missile defense strategy. Pulse Spaceu2019s tracking and optical communication capabilities fit directly into this layered defense architecture.
To accelerate its technical readiness, Pulse Space participated in the 2024 Techstars Space Accelerator program. The company has also partnered with Virginia-based Scout Space to plan an in-orbit demonstration of its laser power transmission technology.
The Future of Orbital Infrastructure
The successful deployment of space-based laser power beaming could trigger a paradigm shift in satellite design and orbital logistics. By decoupling a satellite’s power source from its physical frame, operators can build smaller, highly maneuverable spacecraft that rely on a centralized power grid in orbit.
In the coming months, industry observers will closely watch the planned joint demonstration with Scout Space. This test will serve as a critical proof-of-concept for wireless power transmission in the vacuum of space.
As the U.S. military increasingly prioritizes space superiority, the integration of Pulse Spaceu2019s technology into the Space Force’s operational architecture could set a new standard for defensive and offensive orbital capabilities.
