DeStarlink Genesis-1 Satellite Successfully Deployed and Operating
Placed into Low Earth Orbit December 10
The DeStarlink Genesis-1 satellite, which was deployed into LEO on December 10, has been contacted, is operating and producing solar power as it travels in its orbit. The satellite was developed by PowerBank Corporation in collaboration with Smartlink AI. Its deployment marks the inaugural launch of the Orbital Cloud network.
“This isn’t just about launching a satellite; it’s about proving that clean energy technology can enable entirely new categories of digital infrastructure.”
Dr. Richard Lu, PowerBank
Genesis-1 represents the first satellite in a planned constellation designed to integrate three critical capabilities in space:
DeStarlink Connectivity: Decentralized communication infrastructure providing global, censorship-resistant connectivity
DeStarAI Computing: Solar-powered AI data centers naturally cooled in the vacuum of space, enabling continuous inference and processing
Blockchain Verification: Ethereum wallet and blockchain node capabilities for verified, tamper-proof transactions executed in orbit
The satellite’s successful deployment validates the core technical architecture of the Orbital Cloud and establishes the foundation for expanded constellation deployment beginning in 2026. Genesis-1 carries initial AI inference payloads and blockchain verification capabilities, demonstrating the feasibility of autonomous, solar-powered computation beyond terrestrial infrastructure constraints.
“The successful deployment of Genesis-1 validates a vision we announced just weeks ago--that solar-powered infrastructure can extend beyond Earth’s surface to power the next generation of computing. This isn’t just about launching a satellite; it’s about proving that clean energy technology can enable entirely new categories of digital infrastructure,” said Dr. Richard Lu, CEO of PowerBank. “The Orbital Cloud represents the convergence of three megatrends: renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and decentralized computing. PowerBank’s planned role in advancing solar and thermal control solutions for space-based data centers positions us uniquely at this intersection, opening exposure to markets projected to exceed $700 billion over the next decade.”
PowerBank initially announced its collaboration with Orbit AI on November 19, 2025, outlining an ambitious vision for Orbit AI, with PowerBank’s support, to launch solar-powered orbital computing infrastructure. Less than one month later, the Genesis-1 satellite reached orbit--a remarkably compressed timeline that demonstrates both Orbit AI’s execution capabilities and the maturity of the underlying technology stack.
This rapid progression from announcement to deployment reflects careful pre-launch preparation and validates PowerBank’s due diligence in selecting strategic partners. The Company’s collaboration with Orbit AI is intended to encompass advanced solar energy systems and adaptive thermal control solutions--critical technologies that will become increasingly important as the constellation scales to larger, higher-compute satellites in subsequent deployment phases.
The Orbital Cloud initiative positions PowerBank at the intersection of multiple high-growth markets converging in low-Earth orbit:
Global Satellite Market: Projected to reach $615 billion by 2032, driven by expanding connectivity and data service demands
In-Orbit Data Centers: Expected to grow from $1.77 billion in 2029 to $39.1 billion by 2035 as compute workloads migrate to space
Orbital Infrastructure: Growing from $13.5 billion in 2024 to $21.3 billion by 2029 (CAGR ~9.6%)
Satellite Data Services: Expanding from ~$12.16 billion in 2024 to ~$55.24 billion by 2034 (CAGR ~16.3%)
PowerBank’s future contributions are expected to focus on the “Execution Layer” of these orbital systems--the solar power generation and adaptive thermal management technologies that enable continuous, autonomous operation.
This observation underscores the fundamental advantage of solar-powered orbital computing--continuous energy availability without atmospheric interference. PowerBank’s expertise in advanced solar energy systems positions the Company to support this paradigm shift as computing infrastructure migrates beyond terrestrial constraints.
A core differentiator of the Orbital Cloud architecture is its solar-powered execution layer. Satellites are equipped with lightweight, space-grade solar panels that harvest continuous sunlight during orbit, enabling round-the-clock AI inference, blockchain node operation, and on-board data processing without reliance on terrestrial energy grids.
Constellation Expansion: Next Phase Development Timeline
With Genesis-1 successfully deployed, Orbit AI plans to expand its constellation through a phased approach:
2026: Deployment of 5-8 additional orbital nodes integrating enhanced compute capabilities and expanded connectivity infrastructure
2027-2028: Full constellation rollout and commercialization of Orbital Cloud services, including sovereign connectivity and in-orbit data processing offerings
2028-2030: Implementation of autonomous network governance protocols and large-scale orbital compute and communication operations
PowerBank expects to continue as a key partner throughout these expansion phases, with its solar energy and thermal control contributions expected to become increasingly significant as satellite payloads scale to accommodate higher computational loads and more sophisticated AI inference capabilities. At this time PowerBank elected not to make an investment in Orbit AI and the terms of any remuneration for services PowerBank may provide Orbit AI have not yet been determined.