Baiju Bhatt’s New Venture Aetherflux Aims to Make Space-Based Solar Power a Reality

Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, has launched Aetherflux, a startup focused on delivering solar power from space using fiber laser technology. After stepping down as Chief Creative Officer at Robinhood, Bhatt surprised many by entering the aerospace sector with a bold vision: creating smaller, more nimble satellites capable of collecting solar energy and beaming it to Earth. Unlike traditional approaches involving massive geostationary satellites and microwave transmission, Aetherflux will utilize fiber lasers to direct solar energy to compact ground receivers. The company has secured $60 million in funding, including contributions from Bhatt himself and investors like Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz.

Initially, the company is targeting defense applications. The U.S. Department of Defense has backed the project, recognizing its potential to provide energy to battlefield zones without needing fuel transport. Bhatt plans to launch a demonstration satellite by June 2026. If successful, this innovation could expand into global renewable energy distribution, making solar energy available even in remote areas. Aetherflux’s team includes experts from NASA, SpaceX, and top national labs. Working closely with DARPA, the company hopes to evolve from a defense solution into a commercial energy provider. Bhatt believes the outsider’s mindset is key to disrupting long-stagnant space energy concepts.