First Refueling of a U.S. Space Force Asset Planned
Astroscale U.S. Tapped to Conduct Two Refueling Operations Next Year
Two refueling operations of a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) satellite in geostationary orbit (GEO) for the United States Space Force (USSF) will be conducted by Astroscale U.S. next year. The mission is designed to demonstrate the ability of commercial Servicing, Mobility and Logistics providers to deliver on-orbit capabilities supporting the warfighter.
“This mission proves that in-space logistics does not have to be years away."
Ron Lopez, Astroscale U.S.
The Astroscale U.S. Refueler will be the first spacecraft to conduct hydrazine refueling operations above GEO and will be the first-ever on-orbit refueling mission supporting a DoD asset. Designed for maneuverability, the 300-kilogram (≈660 pound) spacecraft will carry a refillable hydrazine tank, supporting refueling for a client spacecraft during two planned operations and enabling an end-to-end refueling ecosystem with a client, servicer and depot in space.
“We’re changing the reality of what’s possible,” said Ron Lopez, president of Astroscale U.S. “This mission proves that in-space logistics does not have to be years away. We’re a focused team with one goal: deliver and operate an operational prototype spacecraft for the Space Force. That’s only possible because of our agile structure, solution-oriented design, close collaboration with Space Systems Command’s Servicing Mobility and Logistics program office and our incredible team. The Astroscale U.S. Refueler is proof that commercial space companies can develop and deliver new, operational capabilities on time and on budget.”
This mission will establish space heritage for scalable refueling services, a critical step toward enabling sustained maneuverability. Astroscale U.S. selected Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to build the bus and Orbit Fab’s refueling interfaces; the Astroscale U.S. Refueler is part of a growing commercial ecosystem supporting dynamic space operations and enhanced options for mission planning, resilience and responsiveness.
“We’re not just enabling a refueling mission — we’re laying the groundwork for scalable, flexible logistics across space,” said Ian Thomas, Astroscale U.S. Refueler Program Manager. “This is infrastructure that expands options for the warfighter and demonstrates what rapid innovation looks like in action.”
This SSC agreement modification to Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) Space Mobility and Logistics prototype project (23-05) executes reserved scope to transition APS-R, the Astroscale U.S. Refueler, to full mission development and operational demonstration. SSC released the SML Request for Prototype Proposal through SpEC, the Space Enterprise Consortium, to accelerate in-space capabilities, including refueling, transportation, servicing and debris mitigation.