Volta Space Technologies

Technology

Volta’s power beaming architecture is designed to enable lunar night survival, removing a critical barrier to long-term surface operations. With nights lasting 14 days (or longer) and an atmosphere too thin to retain heat, lunar surface temperatures can plummet to hundreds of degrees below zero—permanently damaging most electronics. This typically limits missions to 14 days or less. However, with just 50 watts of power, a lander can maintain a safe internal temperature, allowing electronics to continue functioning. By closing this energy gap, Volta enables significantly longer and more complex missions in regions that were previously entirely inaccessible.

At its core, Volta’s power beaming system consists of a constellation of satellites in Low Lunar Orbit (LLO) that wirelessly transmit energy via optical lasers to purpose-built photovoltaic (PV) receivers on the surface. The lunar environment is ideal for optical transmission, with minimal efficiency loss due to atmospheric attenuation. The receiver, called a LightPort, uses a laser tracker to lock onto the beam and convert the transmitted energy back into electricity, which is then integrated seamlessly into the lander’s electrical system. This can be achieved either through direct circuitry integration or via battery storage, depending on the customer’s needs. Heat loss generated by the collection system also serves as a secondary heat source, mitigating the impact of natural PV inefficiencies. Volta is also actively working to minimize loss due to surface reflectivity.

Timeline

Volta has completed several successful ground-based demonstrations of its power transmission and tracking technologies. An early experiment validated their ability to transmit power wirelessly over a kilometer. In late 2024, they conducted their first official demonstration, successfully powering a model lunar rover using a laser positioned across a warehouse. This test confirmed the functionality of the power beaming system, the laser tracking mechanism, and the seamless integration of received electricity into the rover’s existing circuitry.

Under a DOD contract through the LEPTON program, Volta will carry out a series of progressively complex demonstrations, beginning with in-lab testing, followed by outdoor, high-altitude, and eventually Low Earth Orbit trials. Throughout this process, they will build and refine each component of their transmission and receiving systems—most of which are developed in-house. These efforts will culminate in a demonstration in lunar orbit in approximately three years. By 2028, Volta plans to have at least one operational satellite in orbit, reaching full operational capacity by 2030. While the use of a Super Heavy Launch Vehicle (SHLV) would ease deployment, the system can still be effectively launched via Falcon 9.

Applications

Any long-term lunar activity will require a variety of power sources to maintain continuous operations. Point solutions like radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) can be used for stationary systems, but wireless power distribution fills the niche of lightweight, transportable energy. This opens up the ability to conduct various lunar operations that would otherwise be more constrained or prohibitively expensive. Establishing a stable, in-orbit energy grid will also reduce the cost of future missions, which would no longer need to transport their own power sources to the lunar surface. According to Volta’s estimates, landing an object on the moon is nearly three times the price per kilogram as leaving it in orbit, making the transition to a space-based utility a significant cost-saving measure in the long run. 

Demand is expected to grow steadily, with the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program planning approximately two missions per year, each carrying 10–12 payloads. The European Space Agency (ESA), other space agencies, and other private companies also plan lunar missions. Beyond lunar applications, Volta is targeting adjacent markets, including space-to-space, space-to-Earth, and surface-to-air power beaming. While optimized for lunar operations, their optical transmission technology is fully functional on Earth, enabling them to serve both terrestrial and space markets concurrently.

Costs and Funding

Volta has received funding from a range of venture capital firms and government programs across the U.S., Canada, and the EU. They currently hold a contract with the Naval Research Laboratory to develop the Laser-Enabled Power Transmission Orbital Network (LEPTON), funded by the Operational Energy – Innovation (OE-I) Directorate and supported by NASA. Additional awards include $250,000 from the Canadian Space Agency, a joint win with Astrobotic in NASA’s Watts on the Moon Challenge, and a grant from the ESA. They have also received backing from MaC Venture Capital, Industrious Ventures, Mandala Space Ventures, Q Station, and Unpopular Ventures.

To ensure financial sustainability, Volta plans to launch its constellation in several phases, with each round deploying operational satellites capable of generating revenue to fund further expansion. While their long-term model is that of a general utility provider, they will initially operate under mission-based agreements with clients. In the very long term, this could develop into a system with power credits, take-or-pay contracts, and other features akin to terrestrial utilities.

Policy

Given the limited current regulations surrounding activities in the cislunar region, there are few immediately applicable laws. The two primary areas of concern are spectrum management and space debris in lunar orbit, both of which are currently under discussion. Spectrum management in lunar missions is, as of now, managed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which has not established a clear set of standards for spectrum use on the moon. These would likely be federally regulated by the FCC or Office of Space Commerce. Similarly, there is no established system for debris management in lunar orbit. These regulations will likely be formulated as lunar activities increase.