1414 Degrees Partners with Orbit Boy to Test SiNTL Batteries in Space

1414 Degrees Targets Space Battery Market with SiNTL Technology

Australian clean energy innovator 1414 Degrees (ASX:14D) has taken a significant step into the space sector by striking a partnership with Orbit Boy, a European space launch and satellite servicing company based in Turin, Italy. The deal centres on testing 14D’s SiNTL silicon-anode battery technology for use in satellites, rockets, and spacecraft, aiming to tap into the rapidly expanding market for high-energy-density space batteries.

Orbit Boy will evaluate SiNTL batteries for readiness in powering satellite systems, with the potential to extend testing to its Solaris Space Defence Laser; a satellite-mounted 1.1kW laser designed to intercept threats in orbit. This staged program includes six milestone-gated phases, from initial cell validation to environmental qualification testing, providing a structured pathway for 14D to gain technical validation and commercial traction in aerospace applications.

Orbit Boy’s Proven Launch and Satellite Servicing Capabilities

Orbit Boy’s technology is battle-tested, having supported around 500 rocket launches over the past five years. Its core platforms include a reusable air-launch system capable of deploying satellites from cargo planes on 24 hours’ notice, an autonomous satellite maintenance and repair module (ARCap), and the Solaris Space Defence Laser. Together, these systems aim to enable the assembly, servicing, and protection of orbital infrastructure, including gigawatt-scale AI data centres; an emerging frontier in the space economy.

Orbit Boy’s partnerships with major European and international space agencies; including the European Space Agency (ESA), Luxembourg Space Agency, Korea Aerospace Administration, and others; position it as a significant gateway for 14D to access key industry players and satellite manufacturers across the continent.

SiNTL’s Energy Density Advantage for Space Applications

Battery energy density is critical in space, where launch costs per kilogram and the inability to replace satellite batteries once deployed create a premium on lightweight, high-capacity cells. 14D’s SiNTL silicon-anode batteries have demonstrated at least 50% greater energy density than traditional graphite anodes, a crucial edge for satellite power systems that must endure repeated charge-discharge cycles in low Earth orbit.

The space battery market, valued between US$3.4 billion and US$4.6 billion in 2025, is expected to roughly double by the early 2030s. Demand is driven primarily by satellites; especially in low Earth orbit; where high-energy-density cells above 200 Wh/kg are the fastest-growing segment. The partnership with Orbit Boy offers 14D a live-testing opportunity aboard real satellites, providing vital in-space performance validation for SiNTL technology.

Commercial and Strategic Implications for 1414 Degrees

As part of the agreement, 1414 Degrees will subscribe for A$500,000 in equity in Orbit Express, Orbit Boy’s parent company, split into two tranches tied to testing milestones. Ownership of SiNTL intellectual property remains with 14D and George Washington University, with future revenue expected from anode material supply, licensing, royalties, and direct battery sales to aerospace and defence customers.

Executive Chairman Dr Kevin Moriarty highlighted the strategic importance of the deal, noting the space economy’s projected multi-trillion-dollar value and the growing race to power and defend next-generation satellites and orbital infrastructure. He emphasised that SiNTL’s entry into this sector positions 14D to engage with leading launch and satellite companies, potentially unlocking new commercial pathways beyond terrestrial energy storage and industrial applications.

The collaboration also opens doors to integrate SiNTL batteries into Orbit Boy’s broader space systems, including the Solaris laser defence platform and autonomous satellite servicing modules, aligning with global trends in orbital data centre development by major aerospace players such as Northrop Grumman, Airbus Defense & Space, and Axiom Space.