About
Orbit Fab is pioneering the commercial in-space refueling industry under the banner 'Gas Stations in Space™.' Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Lafayette, Colorado, the company provides end-to-end propellant delivery services that extend satellite lifespans, increase operational flexibility, and reduce the cost of space missions. Their flagship offering is hydrazine refueling in geostationary orbit (GEO), available starting in 2025 at $20M per 100 kg of propellant. Orbit Fab's RAFTI™ (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface) is a standardized refueling port that spacecraft operators integrate into their satellites to enable cooperative docking with Orbit Fab's fuel shuttle vehicles. This open standard is trusted by over 100 commercial spacecraft and multiple US and international government programs. Complementing the hardware is UMPIRE, a mission-planning software tool that optimizes refueling logistics against a customer's specific mission objectives, helping operators model the benefits of refueling on coverage, maneuverability, and lifetime. Notable contracts include a DIU RAPIDS award to refuel US Space Force satellites, a deal to supply up to 1,000 kg of xenon to Astroscale's LEXI servicers, and support for the UK Space Agency's active debris removal program with ClearSpace. Orbit Fab serves commercial satellite operators, government agencies, and space logistics companies looking to treat propellant as an accessible, on-demand resource rather than a fixed constraint.
Key Features
- In-Space Fuel Delivery: Autonomous fuel shuttle vehicles deliver hydrazine or xenon propellant directly to customer spacecraft in any orbit, starting with GEO hydrazine service at $20M per 100 kg in 2025.
- RAFTI™ Refueling Interface: A standardized, rapidly attachable fluid transfer interface that spacecraft operators install to enable cooperative docking and propellant transfer from Orbit Fab's shuttles.
- UMPIRE Mission Planning Software: Optimization software that models refueling logistics against mission goals, helping operators quantify the coverage, maneuverability, and lifetime benefits of on-orbit refueling.
- Government & Commercial Contracts: Trusted by 5+ US and international government programs and 100+ commercial spacecraft, including US Space Force, Astroscale, and ClearSpace partnerships.
- Multi-Propellant Support: Capable of delivering hydrazine for chemical propulsion and xenon for electric propulsion, covering the broadest range of operational satellite architectures.
Use Cases
- Extending the operational lifespan of GEO communication satellites that are running low on station-keeping propellant.
- Enabling US Space Force satellites to perform additional maneuvers and orbital changes beyond their original propellant budget.
- Supplying xenon propellant to electric-propulsion servicer vehicles like Astroscale's LEXI for debris removal and life-extension missions.
- Allowing commercial satellite operators to repurpose or reposition spacecraft to new orbital slots in response to market demand.
- Supporting active debris removal programs by refueling servicer satellites that must capture and deorbit multiple objects in sequence.
Pros
- First-Mover Commercial Refueling: Orbit Fab is the first company to offer commercial in-space refueling, with proven flight hardware and signed government contracts already in place.
- Open Interface Standard: The RAFTI™ standard is hardware-agnostic and widely adopted, allowing any spacecraft manufacturer to integrate refueling capability without proprietary lock-in.
- Mission Flexibility: Refueling enables operators to change orbits, extend satellite lifespans, and respond to new mission requirements that would otherwise be constrained by fixed propellant budgets.
Cons
- High Entry Cost: At $20M per 100 kg of hydrazine in GEO, the service is accessible only to well-funded commercial operators and government agencies, limiting near-term market breadth.
- Requires Hardware Modification: Spacecraft must be equipped with the RAFTI™ interface before launch, meaning existing on-orbit assets without RAFTI™ cannot currently be serviced.
- Limited Initial Orbit Coverage: Initial commercial availability is focused on GEO; refueling in LEO, MEO, or other orbital regimes is planned for the future but not yet operational.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Orbit Fab's core service?
Orbit Fab provides commercial in-space propellant delivery, sending autonomous fuel shuttle vehicles to rendezvous with and refuel RAFTI™-equipped satellites in geostationary and other orbits.
What is RAFTI™ and why does my spacecraft need it?
RAFTI™ (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface) is a standardized docking and fluid-transfer port. Your spacecraft must be equipped with RAFTI™ before launch so Orbit Fab's fuel shuttles can safely dock and transfer propellant on orbit.
How much does refueling cost?
Orbit Fab's hydrazine refueling service in GEO is priced at $20M per 100 kg of propellant, with availability starting in 2025. Xenon pricing for electric propulsion spacecraft is available on request.
What is UMPIRE?
UMPIRE is Orbit Fab's mission-planning software that optimizes refueling logistics for your specific mission. It takes your mission inputs and models how refueling affects coverage, orbit-change capability, and satellite lifetime.
Who are Orbit Fab's customers?
Orbit Fab serves commercial satellite operators, national space agencies, and defense organizations. Current customers and partners include the US Space Force (via DIU RAPIDS), Astroscale, ClearSpace, and the UK Space Agency.
