{"id":79713,"title":"Vista Space: Structural batteries for high performance spacecraft","tagline":"Our batteries let spacecraft have 2x the energy capacity or save 15-30% in volume","body":"### **TL;DR**\n\n**About Us** \\\n[Vista Space](https://govista.space/) builds Tesla-inspired structural batteries to increase satellites’ energy capacity without increasing their size. The founders worked at SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and NASA. \n\n**The Ask** \\\nIf you or anyone you know are building spacecraft or any other products that could benefit from structural batteries, we should talk! Please reach out or send referrals our way to [sales@govista.space](mailto:sales@govista.space) or our website at \u003chttps://govista.space\u003e. \n\n—\n\nHey all, we’re [Vista Space](https://govista.space/), co-founded by [Maxim Kraft](https://linkedin.com/in/maximkraft), [Petar Matejic](https://linkedin.com/in/petar-matejic), and [Chaitanya Kore](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckore/). Our mission is to power the next generation of space exploration. \n\n### **Problem**\n\nPower is a fundamental constraint for space mission design, as everything operating in space requires electricity. Today's spacecraft power systems are not capable enough to support both the current and next-generation mission concepts, leading satellite manufacturers to painful trade-offs: **limiting additional hardware** or **increasing system size** to get more power. \n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post\u0026id=79713\u0026key=user_uploads/293472/5a1ec437-b4ee-4544-b3ad-5082e2be92c3)\n\nWith reduced capabilities, companies lose their technological advantage. With increased size, manufacturing costs are higher, risk of schedule delays is greater, and go-to-market is slower due to fewer spacecraft launches. **These trade-offs are fundamental limitations** of spacecraft design and space economics. \n\nWhile space-rated solar panels are thin, efficient, and can be foldable, **batteries take up significant useful volume** (up to 30% in small spacecraft) **and are vastly less capable** than the latest terrestrial equivalents.  \n\n### **Solution**\n\nTraditional spacecraft walls are purely structural, serving little functional purpose after launch while occupying valuable space. \n\nOur **Voltaris 1** module replaces these walls, providing **structural support and energy storage simultaneously**. This allows satellite manufacturers to **double their energy capacity** without increasing size or **gain 15-30% more useful volume** at the same power budget. \n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post\u0026id=79713\u0026key=user_uploads/293472/a51852a8-0dfc-46a5-a2bf-049c29a42d7e)\n\n**Key Features:** \n\n* **Inspired by structural batteries in EVs** like the Tesla Model Y and Cybertruck \n* **Plug and play with any chassis size**, bolting onto the chassis in place of aluminum walls \n* **Compatible with third-party electrical \u0026 power system** (EPS) modules inside \n* CubeSat modules **include a solar cell**, and all form factors have the electrical components \u0026 thermal protection systems to **work out of the box** \n* **Additional radiation protection** for the contents inside the chassis \n* Launching **to space in February 2025** \n* Targeting **pricing to be middle of the market** for space batteries\n\n \n\n### **About Us**\n\nMaxim \u0026 Petar met at SpaceX, working on Starlink and Starship, respectively, and bonded over discussing opportunities for satellite design improvements. Maxim met Chaitanya at a conference for rising NewSpace leaders and stayed in touch since. \n\n![uploaded image](/media/?type=post\u0026id=79713\u0026key=user_uploads/89898/1b0414fe-b273-4da1-b4fb-2265113278ca)\n\nMaxim: Berkeley alum (Economics \u0026 Physics). Former SpaceX, Rocket Lab. Taught a course on space economy and entrepreneurship during undergrad. \n\nPetar: Former SpaceX, NASA, Firefly, The Boring Company. Co-founded UNLV's student satellite team. \n\nChaitanya: Founded Space Force Association Great Lakes chapter. Helped secure a multi-billion-dollar battery gigafactory in Illinois.  \n\n### **The Ask**\n\n* Please share this post with your network, even outside the space industry! \n* If we’re building something you need, please reach out or send referrals to [sales@govista.space](mailto:founders@govista.space) or our website \u003chttps://govista.space\u003e.\n* Leave an upvote!\n\n \n\n**Early adopter benefits:** Anyone who places a Pre-order gets personalized technical review sessions and priority delivery of the first production units. \n\nThanks all! Let us know what you think. ","slug":"Kjh-vista-space-structural-batteries-for-high-performance-spacecraft","created_at":"2024-03-26T17:00:54.840Z","updated_at":"2026-05-25T02:25:10.412Z","total_vote_count":43,"url":"https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Kjh-vista-space-structural-batteries-for-high-performance-spacecraft","share_image_url":"https://www.ycombinator.com/media/?type=post\u0026id=79713\u0026key=user_uploads/89898/1b0414fe-b273-4da1-b4fb-2265113278ca","company":{"id":29444,"name":"Vista Power","slug":"vista-power","url":"https://vistapower.com","logo":"https://bookface-images.s3.amazonaws.com/small_logos/200c92ec7689cca5def8c23c08741030c6d28f97.png","batch":"Winter 2024","industry":"Industrials","tags":["Energy Storage","B2B","Sustainability","Manufacturing","Renewable Energy"],"search_path":"https://bookface.ycombinator.com/company/29444"}}