The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) has welcomed three new associate members - Overview Energy, Loft Orbital, and Star Catcher - companies that collectively seem determined to make space the new energy capital of the solar system. Overview Energy is building space-based solar power that beams energy from geosynchronous orbit to Earth using safe near-infrared light, because why settle for sunlight that only works during the day? Founded in 2022 in Northern Virginia, the company has already demonstrated power beaming from a moving airborne transmitter and plans to head to low Earth orbit in 2028. “Joining the Commercial Space Federation is an important step in Overview’s mission to make space solar energy a cornerstone of American energy security,” said founder and CEO Marc Berte, presumably while basking in the glow of uninterrupted orbital photons.

Loft Orbital, founded in 2017, offers a faster way to deploy satellite missions by letting customers skip the whole “building and operating your own satellite” hassle. With facilities in San Francisco, Golden, Colorado, and Toulouse, France, Loft has flown more than 25 missions and even helped establish Orbitworks, the Middle East’s first private space-infrastructure company, in 2024. “Loft’s mission is to make space simple,” said SVP of Business Development Mack Koepke, which is a refreshing change from the usual “space is really complicated and expensive” approach.

Star Catcher is building the first energy grid in space, beaming concentrated solar energy to existing satellite panels to boost power generation by 2 to 10 times - no retrofit required. “Building the space economy is a team effort; no single company can do it alone,” said CEO Andrew Rush, echoing the sentiment of everyone who has ever tried to assemble IKEA furniture without help. Founded in 2006, the CSF has been working to democratize access to space for scientists, students, civilians, and businesses, while also serving as the commercial space industry’s primary advocate with Congress - because even in space, you need a lobbyist.