The Roadmap to in Orbit Refuelling

Orbit Fab is developing an orbital infrastructure designed to provide a ubiquitous supply of propellant for all in-orbit assets, both governmental and commercial, extending their lifespan and providing the possibility less frequent deorbiting and replacement. This vision will end the single use paradigm for spacecraft and enable the next generation of missions based on extended lifetimes and higher flexibility for maneuvering and retasking of assets. Orbit Fab Limited (OFL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Orbit Fab Inc with the vision to independently leverage the UK and European space ecosystem to contribute to the global effort to make efficient in space refuelling a reality. OFL are developing the passive and active side interfaces, named RAFTI and GRASP respectively to answer the emerging demand for refuelling of high pressure and self-pressurising propellants, such as Xenon and Nitrous Oxide based bipropellants. The qualification status of both interfaces are presented, with key test results and analyses included. The further development activities planned for the wider system architecture around these interfaces is also presented, identifying the qualification gaps that may need to be covered for specific missions.