GEO Refueling Demonstration to be Conducted by Impulse Space, Orbit Fab
A landmark hydrazine refueling mission demonstration in geostationary equatorial orbit (GEO) has been awarded to Impulse Space by Orbit Fab. For the GEO refueling mission, an Impulse Space Mira orbital service vehicle will serve as a hosting platform for the Orbit Fab fuel depot set to replenish Space Force Satellites in 2025.
“This collaboration with Impulse Space brings us one step closer to a robust in-space economy supported by a network of fuel depots and fuel shuttles in geosynchronous orbit.”
Adam Harris, Orbit Fab.
“We are eager to collaborate with Orbit Fab, a forerunner in commercial spacecraft refueling services,” said Impulse Space Chief Operating Officer Barry Matsumori. “This demonstration will pave the way for future commercial orbital refueling services, as well as additional collaborative opportunities and missions between Orbit Fab and Impulse Space.”
GEO Refueling Demonstration will Support Space Force Satellite
During the GEO refueling demonstration, the US Space Force Tetra-5 spacecraft will refuel with up to 50kg of hydrazine, using the Orbit Fab fuel depot featuring its RAFTI (Rapidly Attachable Fuel Transfer Interface) refueling port. Impulse Space will provide hosting services such as power, communications, attitude control and propulsion for the fuel depot.
Last month, Orbit Fab's Series A round netted some $28.5 million for the company enabling the company to drive the integration of its RAFTI refueling port aboard more satellites and servicing vehicles. Orbit Fab’s on-orbit fuel shuttles can dock with and replenish spacecraft equipped with its RAFTI refueling port interface, significantly extending mission life and return on investment versus expensive, inefficient one-and-done satellite missions and servicing and debris removal operations.
“This collaboration with Impulse Space brings us one step closer to a robust in-space economy supported by a network of fuel depots and fuel shuttles in geosynchronous orbit,” said Adam Harris, Orbit Fab’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Establishing a future where companies know in advance the availability and price of fuel will permit them to build their satellites without having to exchange operational capabilities for longer lifetimes, enabling new business models never before thought possible.”
The Orbit Fab refueling demonstration mission will launch in mid-2025 and will deliver fuel to the US Space Force under a contract with the DIU (Defense Innovation Unit). The company has booked at least four fuel shuttle missions set to launch over the next three years.
(Source: Impulse Space news release. Images provided and from file)