What if satellites could receive additional power while in orbit, without relying solely on their own solar panels?
In this episode of the Satellite, Space & Defence Matters podcast, hosts Gia and Millie are joined by Anna Mauro, Co-Founder and CTO of ORiS, to explore how laser-based wireless power transmission could transform the way satellites are designed and operated.
Anna shares her journey from studying aerospace engineering to co-founding ORiS, a Turin-based space technology company developing energy-as-a-service solutions for satellites and other applications. She discusses the challenges of building a deep-tech start-up, growing a multidisciplinary engineering team and preparing for the company’s first in-orbit demonstration.
The conversation also explores the technical challenges of transmitting power safely between satellites, the importance of learning from early missions and ORiS’s longer-term ambitions for wireless energy infrastructure in space and on the Moon.
In this episode, we discuss:
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Anna’s journey into aerospace engineering and entrepreneurship
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How wireless power transmission could change satellite design and operations
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Building ORiS and scaling a multidisciplinary engineering team
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The impact of pre-seed funding on recruitment, facilities and development
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Preparing for ORiS’s first in-orbit demonstration mission
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Addressing safety concerns around laser-based power transmission
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The future of energy-as-a-service and lunar applications
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Anna’s advice for aspiring engineers and space entrepreneurs
About the guest
Anna Mauro is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of ORiS, a Turin-based deep-tech company developing laser-based wireless power transmission systems for space and dual-use applications. Founded by engineers from Politecnico di Torino, ORiS aims to provide additional energy to satellites in orbit, enabling more flexible and capable space missions.
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