Orbit Fab

Space Force looking at what it will take to refuel satellites in orbit
The U.S. Space Force in 2025 plans to launch to geostationary orbit three small satellites that will attempt to dock with a propellant tanker so they can be refueled in space.

Orbit Fab gets $12 million to integrate refueling port with military satellites
Orbit Fab, a venture-funded startup offering a refueling service in space, announced it has won a $12 million deal to ensure its fueling interface works with U.S. military satellites.

Phase Four and Orbit Fab to work on Maxwell engine refueling
Propulsion startup Phase Four has signed a memorandum of understanding with satellite refueling startup Orbit Fab aimed at preparing future Phase Four Maxwell engines for on-orbit refueling.

Orbit Fab secures deal to refuel Astroscale’s satellite-servicing robots
Astroscale U.S., a provider of on-orbit services to extend the life of satellites, has signed an agreement to use Orbit Fab’s in-space fuel tankers.

Orbit Fab signs technology sharing agreement with U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
Orbit Fab, a venture-funded startup offering a refueling service in space, has signed a technology sharing agreement with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Orbit Fab to launch propellant tanker to fuel satellites in geostationary orbit
Orbit Fab, a startup offering a refueling service in space, will launch a propellant tanker to geostationary orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 lunar lander mission projected for late 2022 or early 2023.

Satellite operators to test a new collaboration tool designed to help prevent collisions
OneWeb, Spire Global and Orbit Fab will test a new collaboration platform developed by Slingshot Aerospace to help satellite operators share space traffic information.

Benchmark Space Systems unveils in-space mobility-as-a-service business
Satellite propulsion startup Benchmark Space Systems has secured customers for a new ‘mobility-as-a-service’ business, which similar to a taxi ride will charge them based on the amount of propellant they use.

Starfish Space testing software for constellation-managing Otter space tugs
Starfish Space, a startup founded by former Blue Origin and NASA engineers, is developing space tugs to help manage rapidly growing megaconstellations.

Orbit Fab and Benchmark Space Systems to partner on in-space refueling technologies
Two startups are partnering on technology that they hope can jump-start the market for in-space refueling of satellites.

Orbit Fab to launch first fuel tanker in 2021 with Spaceflight
Orbit Fab, a startup preparing to establish fuel depots in space, announced an agreement Nov. 17 with Spaceflight Inc. to send its first microsatellite into orbit in 2021.

Satellite servicing industry seeks interface standards
As another satellite life extension spacecraft is readied for launch, both developers and customers of such systems called for the creation of standard interfaces to support servicing of future spacecraft.

Orbit Fab gets award to test satellite refueling technology
A startup that seeks to create refueling facilities in orbit for satellites has received a government grant to develop one essential technology for that system.

Orbit Fab demonstrates satellite refueling technology on ISS
A startup company that plans to develop tankers for refueling satellites has completed a key test of its technology on the International Space Station.

Orbit Fab to test refueling technology on ISS
A startup company with plans to develop orbiting propellant depots will fly an experiment to the International Space Station next month to demonstrate some of its key technologies.

Startup plans “gas stations” for satellite servicing
A startup company planning to develop orbital propellant depots to assist satellite servicing ventures has raised an initial round of funding to support a first launch as soon as next year.