Starpath Developing Mass-Produced, Space-Rated Solar Technology
Despite increasing energy requirements for low-Earth orbit (LEO) activities, including orbital artificial intelligence applications, Saurav Shroff, CEO of Starpath, a startup aiming to provide low-cost space power through solar panels, forecasts that 98% of all space-generated power will ultimately be dedicated to Mars initiatives, with only a minor proportion allocated to Earth-orbiting satellites. The company’s primary focus is thus to support human missions to Mars.
On September 25, 2025, the startup began selling its new space-rated solar panels, known as “Starlight,” in the U.S. The company claims its panels are priced approximately ten times lower than standard industry rates of $75-250 per watt, resulting in a reported 90% reduction in cost compared to current offerings.
The product launch features two tiers: an “engineering model” and a “flight model.” The engineering model is offered at $9.81 per watt and is intended for prototyping, laboratory use, and satellite construction prior to launch, shipping from the second week of October. It undergoes streamlined testing, but is not flight-rated. The flight model, designed for in-space applications, is priced at $11.20 per watt and expected to ship in the fourth quarter. The lower costs are attributed partly to Starpath’s automated production line.
Starpath, which manufactures Starlight and its other products in Hawthorne, CA, has developed a production process, largely undisclosed, that is intended to increase output significantly. The company anticipates that by next year, its facility could exceed the global supply of space-rated solar power, providing sufficient capacity for all satellites manufactured worldwide.
Shroff indicated that commercial availability of affordable solar panels would benefit the space industry. Panels will be stocked and not made to order. Initial shipping times will be about three weeks, reducing to three days starting in December 2025, which Starpath notes is a substantial improvement over the current delivery timeframes of five to fourteen months.
This initiative aligns with Starpath’s broader objective to enable large-scale operations beyond Earth, such as lunar or Martian bases. According to Shroff, while existing solar solutions may be acceptable for satellites, they do not scale well for more extensive infrastructure and are likely economically unfeasible for such projects.
For this reason, Starpath developed its own products and manufacturing methods. The company’s production system is designed to rapidly scale up, with capacity for up to 40 megawatts within a year if required.
Shroff noted that for satellites valued in the multimillion-dollar range, the power system would cost about $100,000. Shroff reported interest from other companies in building high-power applications for low Earth orbit. Selling solar panels, however, is positioned as a means to monetize a capability necessary for Starpath’s operations, with the company planning to use around 98% of its panel output for its own off-world infrastructure.
While Starpath’s objective of supporting crewed missions on the Moon and Mars aligns with NASA’s stated goals, the startup does not currently have direct contracts with the US space agency. Instead, Starpath’s customer base is made up of US commercial space companies. Shroff has encouraged NASA to consider expanding their ambitions in space exploration.
Related:
Starpath Raises $12M For Lunar Ice Mining
Starpath Tests Lunar Excavation Rover at NASA Marshall