Virtus Solis enters into manufacturing agreement with Orbital Composites
John and Amolak shake on MOU in Paris at Seraphim Space Reception 14Jun23
Orbital Composites, an advanced manufacturing company, has joined forces with Virtus Solis to build the world's first commercial space-based solar power (SBSP) station. This groundbreaking project aims to capture the Sun's energy in orbit and wirelessly transmit it to Earth for continuous use, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of clean and renewable energy sources.
Forging the Partnership:
Virtus Solis formalized a partnership with Orbital Composites after connecting at Seraphim's Generation Space Accelerator Mission 11 in April. While Virtus Solis is focused on wireless power transmission (WPT) technology with the goal of making solar energy transfer from space to Earth more efficient, Orbital Composites is renowned for its 3D printing and advanced manufacturing capabilities. The latter has collaborated with key players in the space industry, including the US Space Force, Axiom Space, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin.
The Path to Success:
Virtus Solis will take the lead in designing the core SBSP technologies, which encompass antenna arrays, power electronics, and modular mega-structures. Leveraging their expertise in robotic manufacturing, Orbital Composites will develop scalable manufacturing processes, producing 3D printed phase-array antennas and turnkey satellites. Moreover, Orbital will oversee the in-space service, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) of the Virtus SBSP station.
John Bucknell, CEO and founder of Virtus, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "Orbital Composite's manufacturing as a service capability will accelerate the development of Virtus Solis's tile satellite architecture and progress it towards mass manufacture with a first on-orbit test in 36 months of 100+ satellites." This strategic partnership will enable Virtus Solis to transition from the proof of concept phase to the manufacturing process development phase over the next 18 months.
Unlocking the Potential:
Orbital CEO Amolak Badesha believes that Virtus Solis's Space-Based Solar Power stations perfectly align with Orbital's vision of high-volume manufacturing and assembly of large in-space structures. This collaboration not only propels their technology forward in terms of deep integration between electronics and composites but also represents one of the largest commercial opportunities for ISAM. By harnessing the potential of space-based solar power, Virtus Solis and Orbital Composites aim to transform the worldwide energy landscape and pave the way for a sustainable future.
The partnership brings Virtus Solis’s mission to replace fossil fuels globally via space-based solar power closer. By combining Virtus's expertise in wireless power transmission with Orbital's advanced manufacturing capabilities, these two startups are poised to revolutionize the way we harness solar energy.
Cole, Amolak, John and Ed at Orbital Composites 2Jun23
