As the global space economy expands, satellites are becoming more sophisticated, carrying increasingly powerful payloads that demand greater amounts of energy throughout their operational lives. Traditional satellite power systems rely almost entirely on onboard solar panels and batteries, limiting mission flexibility as equipment ages or operating conditions change. Engineers are now exploring new ways to deliver energy in space that could fundamentally reshape how spacecraft are designed and operated. Italian deeptech startup ORiS is among the companies pioneering this vision, and it has now secured fresh funding to accelerate the development of its laser based wireless power transmission technology.
Turin based ORiS has raised €5 million to advance its wireless power transmission platform for space and dual use applications.
The financing includes a €4.5 million pre seed investment led by Earlybird and co led by Pitchdrive, with participation from Galaxia, Vento, and Piemonte Next Fund. The company also received a €0.5 million grant through the Piedmont Region’s programme supporting innovative startups.
The new capital will accelerate research, engineering development, and preparation for future in orbit demonstrations.
Transforming Energy Distribution in Space
Founded by engineers from Politecnico di Torino, ORiS is developing an entirely new approach to supplying electrical power in space.
Rather than depending exclusively on onboard solar panels, the company is building a laser based wireless power transmission system capable of delivering energy directly to satellites while they remain in orbit.
Its long term objective is to establish an orbital energy distribution network where spacecraft can receive electricity whenever additional power is required.
The company believes making energy available on demand could significantly improve satellite performance while reducing many of the limitations associated with conventional spacecraft power systems.
Enabling Smarter Satellite Missions
As satellites become more capable, their energy requirements continue increasing.
ORiS believes wireless power transmission can support satellites already in operation by increasing payload availability, maintaining performance during eclipse periods, and extending mission lifetimes as solar panels gradually degrade.
Looking further ahead, the company expects its technology to influence the design of future spacecraft from the earliest engineering stages.
On demand energy could allow satellites to carry different payload configurations while reducing dependence on oversized onboard power systems.
This flexibility has the potential to reshape mission planning across commercial and governmental space programmes.
Dual Use Applications on Earth
While developing its long term space vision, ORiS is also validating its technology through practical terrestrial applications.
The company created LOONA, a laser based wireless charging platform for drones developed within NATO DIANA’s accelerator programme.
ORiS has already successfully demonstrated wireless power transfer to a hovering drone across distances exceeding one hundred metres.
These demonstrations provide important technical validation while opening opportunities for defence, emergency response, industrial inspection, and other applications where drones require extended operating endurance.
The company sees these dual use markets as an important step toward commercialising its core wireless energy technology.
Looking Beyond Earth Orbit
ORiS is also exploring how wireless power transmission could support future lunar missions.
The company has completed a feasibility study for Thales Alenia Space examining wireless energy distribution for assets operating on the Moon’s surface, including robotic rovers.
Reliable wireless energy systems could simplify lunar exploration by reducing dependence on local power infrastructure while supporting longer and more flexible missions.
These projects demonstrate the broad range of environments where the company’s technology may eventually be deployed.
Accelerating Technology Development
The newly secured funding will support significant expansion across the company’s research and engineering activities.
ORiS plans to recruit additional engineers, advance development of critical technology components, and establish new laboratory and clean room facilities.
The investment will also support construction of a flight model for a future satellite to satellite wireless power transmission mission while moving the LOONA platform toward commercial deployment.
As governments and private companies continue investing in next generation space infrastructure, new approaches to energy distribution are becoming increasingly important. By combining laser based wireless power transmission with ambitious long term research, ORiS aims to redefine how satellites receive and use energy, helping unlock more capable, flexible, and profitable space missions while creating new opportunities across both civilian and dual use applications.
