Orbit Fab, founded in 2018, is a pioneering American startup and in-space refueling company dedicated to developing and deploying propellant and material supply chain infrastructure in space, including "Gas Stations in Space™". Orbit Fab aims to extend the lifespan and operational capabilities of satellites by providing on-orbit refueling services, utilizing its Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI) and fuel depot satellites. Key partners and customers include the U.S. Space Force, Astroscale, and the UK Space Agency; they offer Hydrazine, High Test Peroxide, Green Monopropellants, Water, and Nitrogen. Associated keywords: satellite refueling, in-space services, propellant supply, space logistics, RAFTI, fuel depots.
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The $12,000,000 contract is the largest government contract Orbit Fab has won to date.
Colorado offered Orbit Fab tax incentives worth as much as $4,600,000 based on Orbit Fab’s promise to create nearly 200 high-paying jobs.
Phase Four will work with Orbit Fab to evaluate the refueling potential of traditional electric propulsion propellants such as xenon for Maxwell engines.
The agreement between Phase Four and Orbit Fab was announced on 2022-01-24.
Orbit Fab expects to deploy dozens of fuel tankers and shuttles in the next 5 to 10 years positioned in low Earth orbit, GEO, and cislunar space.
Orbit Fab expects to deploy dozens of fuel tankers and shuttles in the next five to 10 years in both low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit.
The agreement commits Orbit Fab to supply up to 1,000 kg of xenon propellant to refuel Astroscale’s LEXI vehicles.
Under the initial agreement, Orbit Fab’s GEO fuel shuttle will resupply Astroscale’s fleet of LEXI Servicers with up to 1,000 kg of Xenon propellant.
Under the contract, Orbit Fab will deliver the fuel for a fixed price and Astroscale commits to purchase that fuel.
Orbit Fab anticipates deploying dozens of fuel tankers and shuttles in the next 5 to 10 years positioned in proximity to customer satellite constellations in low Earth orbit (LEO), geostationary orbit (GEO), and cislunar space.
Orbit Fab’s first two fuel shuttles will be commissioned in LEO in 2023.
Orbit Fab deployed its first propellant-storage tanker in low Earth orbit and planned a launch of its first tanker to geostationary orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 lunar lander mission projected for late 2022 or early 2023.
Type One Ventures has invested in Cosmic Shielding Corp., OrbitFab, SpaceX, a stealth space company, and Made In Space prior to its acquisition by Redwire in 2020.
Northrop Grumman has invested in Orbit Fab.
Lockheed Martin has invested in commercial space companies including Terran Orbital, Rocket Lab, ABL Space Systems, and Orbit Fab.
Orbit Fab signed a technology sharing agreement with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory on 2021-10-13.
Orbit Fab expects the CRADA with the Air Force Research Laboratory to reduce the risk necessary to bring refueling to Department of Defense space assets.
Orbit Fab announced plans last month to launch a much larger tanker to geostationary orbit.
Orbit Fab is based in California and has announced plans to move to Colorado.
Orbit Fab has received $3,000,000 in contracts from the U.S. Air Force to flight qualify the RAFTI refueling port.