Astroscale
OPERATING
Designs and operates spacecraft for on-orbit servicing, including debris removal, satellite life extension, and refueling across LEO and GEO
EXPLORE
Orbital Refueling
6 in indexTransferring propellant to a satellite in orbit so it can extend its mission, change orbits, or perform high-Δv maneuvers.
Orbital refueling is the transfer of propellant from one spacecraft to another (or from a depot) while both are on orbit. It extends mission life, enables high-Δv maneuvers that would otherwise require a dedicated vehicle, and is a prerequisite for ambitious cislunar and Mars architectures. Orbit Fab, Astroscale, Northrop Grumman, and others are flying first-of-kind demonstrations.
Refueling collapses the propellant tyranny that drives spacecraft mass. Once it works, satellites can be designed for capability instead of fuel budget. It's also the architectural assumption behind Starship-class missions to Mars, which require dozens of refueling flights per outbound vehicle.
- GEO life-extension
- Orbital transfer vehicles (tugs)
- Lunar and Mars architectures
Companies working with Orbital Refueling
Atomos Space
OPERATING
Develops orbital transfer vehicles for in-space transportation, satellite life extension, and payload delivery services
EXPLORE
Dawn Aerospace
OPERATING
Manufactures non-toxic green propulsion systems for satellites and operates reusable suborbital spaceplanes for research and high-speed flight
EXPLORE
Eta Space
OPERATING
Develops cryogenic propellant management systems for in-space storage, transfer, and refueling, and liquid hydrogen infrastructure for terrestrial energy applications
EXPLORE
Orbit Fab
OPERATING
Develops on-orbit refueling infrastructure and operates fuel depots, shuttles, and standardized docking interfaces for satellite propellant delivery in Earth orbit
EXPLORE
Portal Space Systems
OPERATING
Manufactures solar-thermal-propelled spacecraft buses for high-delta-v, multi-orbit maneuverability and tactically responsive space operations
EXPLORE
Orbit Fab, Thales Alenia to study refueling for electric-propulsion satellites
The companies will explore integrating Orbit Fab’s refueling interface with electric propulsion systems developed by Thales Alenia Space The post Orbit Fab, Thales Alenia to study refueling for electric-propulsion satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.
Space Force eyes 2027 demonstrations of in-space refueling and satellite servicing
USSF-23 mission will launch vehicles to demonstrate refueling and satellite servicing in geostationary orbit The post Space Force eyes 2027 demonstrations of in-space refueling and satellite servicing appeared first on SpaceNews.
Northrop Grumman’s First MRV Readies for Summer Launch to Expand the Space Servicing Toolkit
STERLING, Va. — Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics is scheduled to launch its next-generation space vehicle for on-orbit refueling and satellite life extension this summer, program leaders told reporters Tuesday. The company […] The post Northrop Grumman’s First MRV Readies for Summer Launch to Expand the Space Servicing Toolkit appeared first on Via Satellite .