Orbit Fab to Refuel Astroscale's Servicing Satellites in Orbit

Orbit Fab and Astroscale Collaborate on In-Space Refueling

A groundbreaking partnership has been established between Orbit Fab, a company pioneering “gas stations in space,” and Astroscale. This collaboration will focus on delivering on-orbit refueling capabilities to Astroscale’s LEXI spacecraft, designed for life extension in geostationary orbit.

Extending Satellite Lifespans

Both companies specialize in technologies aimed at prolonging the operational life of satellites. Orbit Fab has developed a system to simplify in-space refueling.

Their innovative interface allows other spacecraft to connect and transfer fuel efficiently while in orbit. Astroscale, through its LEXI satellite, offers mission extension services to existing geostationary orbit (GEO) spacecraft.

LEXI achieves this by physically attaching to satellites and performing course corrections or relocating them to desired orbital inclinations.

LEXI: The First Refuelable Satellite

Astroscale highlights LEXI as the inaugural satellite specifically engineered for refueling. This makes it an ideal client for Orbit Fab’s Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI) and its orbital tanker services.

The initial Astroscale LEXI is projected to be operational by 2026. Orbit Fab is under contract to supply the LEXI fleet with up to 1,000 kg of Xenon propellant for replenishment.

Future Expansion of Orbital Refueling Infrastructure

Orbit Fab envisions deploying “dozens” of fuel tankers and shuttles throughout the next five to ten years.

These spacecraft will be strategically positioned in low Earth orbit (LEO), GEO, and cislunar space. This expansion anticipates increased activity in cislunar space due to NASA’s Artemis program.

The first Orbit Fab refueling spacecraft is anticipated to be operational in LEO by 2023, contingent upon successful execution of current plans.