Robinhood Founder’s Bold Plan to Revolutionize Energy
▼ Summary
– Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, launched Aetherflux, a space company focused on beaming solar power from space, raising $60 million to advance the technology.
– Aetherflux uses fiber lasers to convert solar power into focused light for precise energy transmission, aiming for a smaller, more efficient system than traditional space solar concepts.
– The company’s initial focus is on national defense, with DoD funding, to provide portable energy solutions for military operations without fuel logistics.
– Bhatt draws inspiration from his father’s NASA career and Elon Musk, leveraging an outsider perspective to innovate in the aerospace industry.
– Aetherflux plans to launch a demonstration satellite in June 2025, with potential applications beyond defense, including global renewable energy distribution.
Baiju Bhatt, the visionary behind Robinhood, is now channeling his entrepreneurial spirit into an ambitious space venture that could transform how we harness solar energy. His new company, Aetherflux, aims to pioneer space-based solar power, a concept long dismissed as impractical but now gaining traction thanks to breakthroughs in laser technology and satellite design.
Bhatt’s fascination with space traces back to his childhood, influenced by his father, a NASA research scientist who subtly steered him toward physics. Now, at the same age his father was when joining NASA, Bhatt is taking on an even bolder challenge: beaming solar energy from orbit to Earth using advanced fiber lasers instead of traditional microwave transmission. This approach could solve the scalability issues that have plagued previous attempts, making the technology viable for both military and civilian use.
The U.S. Department of Defense has already backed Aetherflux, recognizing its potential to revolutionize battlefield logistics by delivering power to remote bases without fuel convoys. The company’s precision-targeted lasers could create energy hotspots as small as five meters in diameter, offering a tactical advantage while minimizing risk if equipment falls into enemy hands.
Unlike traditional aerospace projects that take decades, Bhatt is pushing for rapid progress. Aetherflux plans to launch its first demonstration satellite by June 2025, an aggressive timeline that reflects his Silicon Valley mindset. “You can’t go up there and tighten the bolt,” he quipped, emphasizing the need for flawless execution.
Beyond defense, the implications are staggering. Space-based solar could provide uninterrupted renewable energy anywhere on Earth, bypassing the need for massive infrastructure in remote regions or disaster zones. Bhatt envisions a future where Aetherflux evolves into a full-scale energy provider, leveraging reusable rockets like SpaceX’s Starship to make orbital power commercially viable.
The company has already assembled a team of top-tier talent from SpaceX, Rivian, and Lawrence Livermore Labs, with backing from heavyweights like Index Ventures, Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Andreessen Horowitz. Bhatt himself invested $10 million upfront, signaling his deep commitment.
With DARPA’s support and a prototype satellite on the horizon, Aetherflux is poised to challenge conventional energy paradigms. If successful, Bhatt’s gamble could cement his legacy, not just as a fintech disruptor, but as a pioneer in the next frontier of clean energy.
(Source: TechCrunch)
