Italian startup ORiS is developing technology that uses lasers to beam power from one satellite to another. Credit: ORiS
WASHINGTON — Italian startup ORiS has raised 5 million euros ($5.7 million) to help it develop wireless power-beaming technology for satellites using lasers.
The company, based in Turin, Italy, announced July 21 that it raised 4.5 million euros in a pre-seed funding round led by Earlybird and co-led by Pitchdrive, with participation from Galaxia, Vento and Piemonte Next Fund. The company also received a grant worth 500,000 euros from an Italian regional program for startups.
ORiS is developing technology that uses lasers to transmit power to satellites. The company has tested the technology on the ground, using it to transmit power to drones hovering 100 meters from the transmitter.
In space, one spacecraft equipped with a laser would transmit power to another spacecraft, which would be able to receive the power using its solar arrays without modifications.
