Aetherflux, a space solar startup founded by Baiju Bhatt, has raised US$50 million in a series A funding round, bringing its total funding to US$60 million.

The round was led by Index Ventures and Interlagos, with contributions from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and private investors, including Jared Leto.

The funds will support Aetherflux’s upcoming satellite demonstration in 2026.

The demonstration will deploy a satellite that converts solar power into laser energy, which will be transmitted to ground-based photovoltaic arrays for electricity generation.

Aetherflux’s team, including experts from NASA, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin, is also developing its first ground station, potentially located at military sites.

The mission aims to evaluate the feasibility of transmitting power from space to Earth, with backing from the US Department of Defense for military applications.