BSV Podcast 0145: Terraspark

Balerion Principal Aidan Daoussis and Venture Partner Aaron Mitchell sit down with Jasper Deprez, CEO of Terraspark, to discuss space-based solar power. Terraspark is developing space-based solar power systems that harvest energy in orbit and transmit it to Earth using radio frequency. The company is focused first on remote, off-grid customers where energy availability is limited by diesel logistics, weather-dependent renewables, and grid constraints.Timestamped Overview00:00 – Introduction to Terraspark and space-based solar power02:14 – Why Terraspark is starting with lower Earth orbit rather than large GEO architectures04:01 – Off-grid mining, islands, and remote sites as initial energy customers05:36 – Ground infrastructure and the role of rectennas in receiving radio frequency energy06:20 – History of wireless power transfer and research at Kyoto University08:37 – Building a European space and energy company from Luxembourg09:24 – Terraspark’s team, execution cadence, and early hardware progress12:14 – Customer selection, LCOE, and premium markets where reliability matters more than low-cost energy18:01 – Power capacity, constellation sizing, and working with utilities as renewable developers21:26 – LEO as a backup-energy layer and future MEO systems for larger-scale power delivery23:01 – Orbit selection, including equatorial and sun-synchronous options26:53 – 2027 space-to-space wireless power demonstration and 2028 space-to-Earth proof of principle30:48 – Terrestrial wireless power use cases in ports, logistics hubs, and mining operations33:13 – Radio frequency versus lasers and reflectors for different power-beaming applications36:05 – Space-to-space power transfer and why lasers may fit existing satellite architectures38:54 – Public perception, safety communication, and the “seven Cs” framework42:04 – Planned wireless-powered concert demonstration in Portugal47:04 – Rectenna land use, dual-use sites, and applications for island nations49:14 – Competitive landscape across space-based solar, infrastructure, and energy markets52:48 – Long-term goal of making space-based solar power a routine part of energy infrastructure This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit balerionspace.substack.com