Introduction: From Fintech to the Final Frontier
Baiju Bhatt, the co-founder of Robinhood and one of the leading figures behind the financial democratization movement of the 2010s, is venturing far beyond Earth—literally. His newest startup, Aetherflux, aims to revolutionize the energy sector by harnessing solar power in space and delivering it back to Earth.
The shift may seem radical—from zero-commission stock trading to orbital energy infrastructure—but Bhatt’s move is a testament to his belief in tackling large, complex systems that affect billions of lives. With Aetherflux, Bhatt is stepping into one of the most ambitious engineering frontiers of the 21st century: space-based solar power (SBSP).
Who Is Baiju Bhatt?
Early Life and Education
- Born to Indian immigrant parents, Bhatt grew up in Virginia and attended Stanford University, where he studied physics and mathematics before completing a master’s in mathematics.
- His early interest in systemic dynamics and abstract models would later influence his ventures into fintech and now aerospace.
Robinhood: Redefining Finance
- In 2013, Bhatt co-founded Robinhood with Vlad Tenev.
- The platform gained notoriety for eliminating trading commissions, disrupting legacy brokerages, and attracting millions of millennial and Gen Z investors.
- Bhatt became the public face of a movement that blurred the line between Silicon Valley and Wall Street.
After stepping back from day-to-day operations at Robinhood, Bhatt began exploring broader existential problems—including energy security, climate change, and geopolitical autonomy. That’s when the idea for Aetherflux began to take shape.
What Is Aetherflux?
Aetherflux is a startup founded in 2024 that aims to deploy satellite-based solar arrays in orbit to collect solar energy and beam it wirelessly back to Earth via microwave or laser transmission.
This concept—Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP)—has been theorized since the 1960s, but technological, political, and cost barriers have kept it from becoming reality. Bhatt believes the time is finally right to make it happen.
The Concept of Space-Based Solar Power
SBSP involves placing solar arrays in geosynchronous or low Earth orbit (LEO), where the sun shines almost constantly and more intensely than on Earth’s surface. These satellites capture energy and convert it into a focused beam, usually microwaves, which is transmitted to a receiving station (rectenna) on Earth.
Benefits of SBSP:
- Continuous energy production (no night, no weather interference)
- Higher solar efficiency due to absence of atmospheric filtering
- Geographically flexible distribution
- No greenhouse gas emissions
Bhatt and Aetherflux see this as a way to leapfrog Earth-bound energy limitations, particularly for regions lacking robust infrastructure or abundant renewables.
Aetherflux’s Founding Mission
Bhatt has described Aetherflux as a climate technology company with galactic ambition. At its core, the startup aims to:
- Build scalable space solar platforms
- Integrate advanced wireless energy transfer systems
- Partner with governments and defense agencies for energy resilience
- Establish a long-term framework for orbital energy markets
“We’re not just chasing the sun—we’re reorganizing the physics of power,” Bhatt said in a private demo.
How Will Aetherflux Work?
Aetherflux’s first generation system, code-named Helios Array 1, is slated to launch in 2027.
Step-by-Step Workflow:
- Orbital Deployment
Modular solar arrays will be launched into low Earth orbit via reusable rockets (partnerships are rumored with SpaceX and Blue Origin). - Solar Energy Collection
Panels will gather sunlight 24/7 with ultra-thin photovoltaic cells, some developed through partnerships with next-gen material labs. - Wireless Power Transmission
Energy is converted to microwave beams and sent to Earth using high-frequency phased arrays, ensuring narrow, precise targeting. - Earth-Based Rectennas
Special ground-based receivers convert microwave beams back into usable electricity and feed it into the local grid or storage units. - Software-Optimized Delivery
AI-driven routing systems determine where and when to send energy based on regional demand spikes or emergencies.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
The concept is daring—but also technically complex. Here are some of the major obstacles and how Aetherflux plans to overcome them:
1. Launch Costs
Space deployment is expensive. However, cheap reusable rockets and miniaturized components are making orbital delivery more accessible.
2. Thermal Management
Solar satellites absorb immense heat. Aetherflux is developing graphene-based cooling systems to regulate temperature and avoid damage.
3. Microwave Safety
One of the biggest public concerns is the safety of microwave beams. Aetherflux plans to use non-ionizing frequencies and build fail-safes to automatically shut off transmission if the beam drifts from its intended target.
4. Space Debris Risk
To mitigate debris collisions, the arrays will include autonomous positioning systems that use AI to detect and avoid objects in real time.
Strategic Applications: Not Just for the Grid
While Aetherflux’s long-term goal is to power homes and industries, its first markets are likely to be military and disaster relief:
- Military Bases in Remote Locations
SBSP can provide energy without the need for vulnerable fuel supply lines. - Post-Disaster Zones
Aetherflux units could provide emergency power after hurricanes, wildfires, or blackouts—no need to rebuild power lines or refuel diesel generators. - Space Habitats and Moon Bases
In the long run, Aetherflux could support off-world infrastructure for NASA, SpaceX, or international partners.
Funding and Partners
Aetherflux launched with $250 million in seed and Series A funding, a massive amount by space-tech standards. Investors include:
- Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)
- Founders Fund
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
- Private Space Tech Investors who previously backed Starlink and Planet Labs
Additionally, Bhatt has hired aerospace veterans from NASA JPL, Lockheed Martin, and MIT Lincoln Lab, blending public and private sector experience.
Global Implications and Potential Disruption
If successful, Aetherflux could fundamentally change who controls energy and how it’s distributed.
Geopolitical Impact
- Energy Independence: Countries can reduce dependence on fossil fuel-rich regimes.
- Resilience: Nations vulnerable to grid sabotage or weather disruptions could maintain 24/7 energy.
- Deterrence: Energy access becomes a form of soft power, potentially weaponizable but also stabilizing if shared ethically.
Economic Disruption
- Competes with terrestrial renewables (solar farms, wind turbines).
- May shift capital away from fossil fuels at an even faster rate.
- Opens new markets for orbital real estate and wireless infrastructure.
Environmental Considerations
Aetherflux positions itself as an eco-forward company, but the scale of its ambitions brings environmental questions:
- Space debris proliferation: Will thousands of power satellites crowd orbit?
- Microwave emissions: What about long-term atmospheric or ecological effects?
- Materials sourcing: Can the company avoid rare-earth and ethically controversial materials?
Bhatt has promised full transparency on environmental audits and a commitment to open science, including collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency.