Refueling Interface Design for Satellites Published by Orbit Fab
Orbit Fab has released the RAFTI Open License, offering a standard refueling interface design for all satellites in LEO, GEO, and cislunar space. RAFTI stands for Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface, and the RAFTI Open License defines the mechanical, electrical, and functional specifications.
"No one wants vendor-lock. We just want to sell fuel. Dozens of commercial customers have lined up to use RAFTI. Collaboration is the key to enabling a bustling in-space economy."
Orbit Fab CEO Daniel Faber.
Orbit Fab intends to share its refueling interface intellectual property with the commercial space industry by offering an Open License for RAFTI. Orbit Fab has attracted significant financial support including US defense giants Lockheed Martin (through its venture arm Lockheed Martin Ventures) and Northrop Grumman Corporation.
The RAFTI Service Valve was first demonstrated on Orbit Fab's Tanker-001 Tenzing Fuel Depot, which launched to low Earth orbit in June 2021. Orbit Fab recently announced that it will soon be launching the first hydrazine propellant tanker to geostationary orbit. The RAFTI Service Valve builds on NASA Goddard technology, and was designed for the harshest orbital regimes and for refueling the largest space assets. RAFTI enables on-orbit refueling simply by replacing the fill/drain valve on satellite propulsion systems.
"Orbit Fab is working with industry leaders to provide RAFTI as a common interface for refueling satellites in space," said CEO Daniel Faber. "No one wants vendor-lock. We just want to sell fuel. Dozens of commercial customers have lined up to use RAFTI. Collaboration is the key to enabling a bustling in-space economy."
Orbit Fab continues to solicit input from stakeholders in the US Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and the commercial space industry. In addition to the Open License, Orbit Fab will enroll RAFTI Certified Partners to manufacture the RAFTI Service Valve and the RAFTI Ground Coupling.
"It's not enough to define the client side of the interface. A robust specification includes both plug and receptacle, as well as the functional, safety and security requirements," said James Bultitude, Orbit Fab's Chief Engineer.
Several companies are currently in discussions with Orbit Fab including Lockheed Martin, Altius Space Machines, Astroscale U.S. and Orbion Space Technology.
"As Lockheed Martin supports the buildout of the on-orbit sustainment and logistics ecosystem, we applaud Orbit Fab's decision to release its RAFTI specifications publicly," said Eric Brown, Senior Director, Military Space Mission Strategy at Lockheed Martin. "We can't afford to have an environment where companies are holding proprietary IP around interfaces. To that end, Lockheed Martin intends to release the ICDs for our ASPIN docking port as well – where we are exploring integration of RAFTI – to the community before the end of the year. This approach will permit companies to begin planning the emergence of a servicing economy."
Orbit Fab is working towards a future where satellites are no longer restricted to the fuel they are launched with. The company will deliver fuel where and when it is needed, to enable business models never before thought possible.
(Image provided with Orbit Fab news release)