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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Orbit Fab received a $3,000,000 contract from the U.S. Air Force to fully flight qualify the RAFTI service valve.
The NSF award includes an option for a second phase worth between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000 for Orbit Fab.
Orbit Fab received a $250,000 award from America’s Seed Fund, a grant program run by the National Science Foundation, on 2020-03-31.
Orbit Fab’s docking system technology will build upon its previous work testing fluid transfer technology on the International Space Station.
Orbit Fab will use the $250,000 NSF award to test a docking system that will allow satellites to be refueled.
Orbit Fab, founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, plans to operate propellant depots in low Earth orbit.
Orbit Fab raised an initial, unspecified funding round last year from Bolt, a San Francisco-based venture fund that supports pre-seed and seed startups.
Orbit Fab has collaborated with satellite manufacturers to develop RAFTI as a replacement for existing fill-and-drain valves, enabling satellites to be fueled on the ground before launch and refueled in space.
Orbit Fab will deliver the first RAFTI system to an unidentified customer later 2019-06.
Orbit Fab became the first private company to supply the ISS with water using its own proprietary refueling equipment and processes.
Orbit Fab completed tests of an experiment called Furphy on the International Space Station on 2019-06-18.
Orbit Fab is working with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, which operates the national lab portion of the ISS, to fly the propellant-transfer experiment.
Orbit Fab is a San Francisco-based startup planning to develop orbiting propellant depots.
Orbit Fab intends to work with companies developing satellite servicing systems rather than develop its own satellite servicing vehicles.