by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 06, 2024
Orbit Fab, a leading provider of in-space refueling services, announced that its RAFTI (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface) refueling port has been approved by the Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) as a standard refueling interface for military satellites.
The SSC's System Engineering Review Board (SERB) recommended RAFTI after confirming it meets the necessary technical qualifications to support various U.S. Government space missions.
With the RAFTI refueling port and GRIP refueling nozzle, Orbit Fab is prepared to meet the Space Force's needs for in-space refueling services. Depots equipped with RAFTI and shuttles with the GRIP nozzle will facilitate reusable fuel shuttles and satellites.
The Tetra-5 program satellites will be among the first to utilize Orbit Fab's RAFTI ports in upcoming refueling operations, expected to launch next year. Other government and commercial programs, both named and unnamed, have also acquired RAFTI for ground and on-orbit refueling capabilities.
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has contracted Orbit Fab for the first in-space fuel sale in GEO orbit and included Orbit Fab in its RAPIDS Refueling and Fuel Depot Initiative.
Orbit Fab's RAFTI refueling port, designed as a small, affordable, and commercially available interface, is ready for both launch site fueling and in-space refueling of satellites in any orbit, including national security, civil, and commercial spacecraft.
"This important thumbs up from the Space Systems Command is a critical step in providing the government and commercial space markets a trusted refueling standard in Orbit Fab's RAFTI refueling port," explained Daniel Faber, Orbit Fab CEO. "Our RAFTI refueling port is designed to integrate easily and affordably with any spacecraft, with a small footprint and price tag aimed at unleashing the full potential of refueling in space. We are thrilled to be working with SSC and their System Engineering Review Board and look forward to playing an integral role in enabling mission-critical maneuverability and mission extension in space. Reusable satellites enabled by unlimited delta-v are the future."
Orbit Fab's RAFTI is the first refueling interface to be flight qualified, achieving this milestone earlier this year after rigorous testing. The RAFTI port can be paired with the RAFTI Ground Coupling, allowing spacecraft operators to replace typical fill-and-drain valves with RAFTI for secure ground and in-space refueling.
Priced at $30,000, the RAFTI refueling port is accessible for missions of all sizes. Shipments to customers have begun following successful qualification tests.
"Orbit Fab thanks the Space Force's Space Systems Command for its rigorous review, which marks a great collaborative milestone for us working together," said Adam Harris, Orbit Fab's Chief Commercial Officer. "With this validation, Orbit Fab will work with any propulsion company and spacecraft builder to meet the Space Force need for unlimited maneuverability."
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