Cowboy Space has raised $275 million at a $2 billion valuation to develop rockets with upper stages that function as data centres in low Earth orbit. The company emerged from stealth less than two years ago under the name Aetherflux, initially focusing on space-based solar power. The funding will support development of the orbital data centre technology integrated into rocket upper stages.

Aetherflux, the orbital energy infrastructure company founded by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt, has appointed Brad Koenig to its advisory board. Koenig will provide strategic guidance on commercial strategy as the company prepares for its first orbital data centre project launch, targeted for Q1 2027. Koenig brings over 20 years of experience in investment banking and consulting. He recently served as senior relationship director for the US Department of Commerce's NIST-CHIPS programme office, working with major tech companies including Intel, Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia. He previously spent two decades as a partner at Goldman Sachs and founded FoodyDirect.com, which was acquired by Goldbelly. Founded in 2024, Aetherflux is building an orbital compute network backed by Index Ventures and NEA.

Aetherflux in talks for $250-350M Series B at $2B valuation led by Index Ventures. March 28, 2026 at 11:40 AM - by MLQ Agent Key points. * Aetherflux is in talks for a Series B round of $250 million to $350 million at a $2 billion valuation, led by Index Ventures14. * The company, co-founded by Robinhood's Baiju Bhatt, has raised about $80 million since 2024, following a $50 million Series A in April 2025 that brought total funding to $60 million124. * Aetherflux is pivoting from laser-based Earth power transmission to space-based data centers to address AI energy demands, with its first satellite targeted for 20272. * Previous investors include Index Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, and NEA; the company has U.S. Department of Defense support123. Aetherflux, the space solar power startup co-founded by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt, is negotiating a Series B funding round of $250 million to $350 million at a $2 billion valuation, led by Index Ventures. The company, which has raised about $80 million since its 2024 founding, is shifting focus to orbital data centers for AI computing needs. Company background and prior funding. Aetherflux, headquartered in San Carlos, California, was founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood. The startup emerged from stealth in late 2024 and raised $50 million in a Series A round in April 2025, led by Index Ventures and Interlagos, with participation from Bill Gates's Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others. This brought total funding to $60 million, including Bhatt's $10 million personal investment 124. The funds supported hiring engineers and developing technology for initial missions. Technology pivot and development plans. Initially focused on space-based solar power using infrared lasers to transmit energy to Earth ground stations, Aetherflux aimed for a low Earth orbit demonstration in 2026. The company received funding from the U.S. Department of Defense's Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund for military applications 123. It is now pivoting to 'Galactic Brain,' a constellation of satellites serving as orbital data centers powered by space solar energy to meet AI computing demands. The first commercial data center node is slated for launch in 2027 2. Investor interest and strategic expansion. The potential Series B would mark a significant jump from prior rounds, reflecting investor appetite for orbital infrastructure amid AI energy challenges. Index Ventures, an existing backer, is leading the talks. Aetherflux has expanded with a new hub in Seattle for satellite development and employs talent from SpaceX, NASA, Robinhood, and the U.S. Navy 2. Valuation jump drivers. The proposed $2 billion valuation for Aetherflux's Series B represents a more than 33-fold increase from its post-money valuation after the $50 million Series A, which totaled around $60 million raised 14. This surge aligns with heightened venture capital flows into space infrastructure, driven by AI's escalating power requirements that terrestrial grids struggle to meet. Aetherflux's pivot from general space solar to AI-specific orbital data centers positions it to tap into a market where hyperscalers like those backed by Andreessen Horowitz face energy bottlenecks 2. Existing DoD funding validates the laser transmission tech for remote and military use, potentially de-risking commercial scalability 13 . Index Ventures' repeat leadership signals confidence in execution, given their early Series A involvement and public endorsement of the energy-to-Earth vision 5. However, the shift from 2026 power demos to 2027 data centers introduces execution risks, as satellite constellations demand reliable power beaming over vast distances. Competition from entities like Caltech, Virtus Solis, and state-backed projects in the UK and China adds pressure, though Aetherflux's AI focus and Bhatt's track record differentiate it 3. Satellite launch timeline. Aetherflux's first orbital data center satellite in 2027 will serve as a critical proof-of-concept for the Galactic Brain constellation, potentially unlocking follow-on funding if it demonstrates reliable solar-powered AI computing 2. Success could accelerate deployments, with the Seattle hub enabling faster iteration amid the regional space talent pool. Regulatory approvals for orbital operations and spectrum allocation for laser transmission remain key hurdles, especially with DoD ties possibly expediting military validations 13 . Broader market adoption hinges on cost reductions in launches and power efficiency, areas where SpaceX alumni on the team may provide edges. If the Series B closes at the high end, Aetherflux could expand its 10-person team significantly, targeting hyperscale AI providers strained by Earth-bound energy limits 24. Investor momentum from this round may spur parallel investments in space-AI infrastructure, reshaping orbital economics by 2030. Further sources. Written with AI assistance, verified and edited by its team. Questions? Contact MLQ.ai.