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Star Catcher power-beaming prototype launches on SpaceX Transporter-18

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A prototype spacecraft designed to beam power to another satellite in orbit launched Thursday from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission. The flight begins an in-orbit demonstration of Star Catcher’s approach to supplying power between spacecraft.

Discovered 2026-10-05T02:15:14.055004-07:00 | 2026-10-05T02:15:14.055004-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The mission puts an orbital power-beaming prototype into space, testing a potential way to supply power to other satellites in orbit.
  • Its launch on Transporter-18 adds an in-orbit technology demonstration to SpaceX’s rideshare mission; the supplied reports do not specify the prototype’s performance targets or demonstration timeline.

Reported By

Space.com exterrajsc.com
Sources Tracked
2
First Seen
2026-10-05T02:15:14.055004-07:00
Latest Update
2026-10-05T07:05:06.855889-07:00
Coverage
Space

Sources

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