24/7 Space News
ROCKET SCIENCE
Space Force Endorses Orbit Fab's RAFTI as Standard for Satellite Refueling
illustration only
Space Force Endorses Orbit Fab's RAFTI as Standard for Satellite Refueling
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."

Related Links
Orbit Fab
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROCKET SCIENCE
Orbit Fab Delivers First Grip In-space Refueling Nozzle Following Successful Testing
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 03, 2024
Orbit Fab has announced the completion of testing of its refueling payload and testing of the GRIP capture and active in-space refueling nozzle with automated docking, which eliminates the need for complex robotic arms for refueling. After completing rigorous GRIP testing and in-space refueling simulations, Orbit Fab has successfully retired major technical risks ahead of key government and commercial in-space servicing missions beginning next year. Numerous hardware tests of Orbit Fabs GRIP ... read more

ROCKET SCIENCE
NASA-Backed Burst Test Advances Orbital Reef Development

Virtual engagement opportunities for Northrop Grumman's 21st Resupply Mission

ISS mission to launch biomedical and physical science research

Mesoscale Discoveries in Ferroelectric Materials Could Revolutionize Electronics

ROCKET SCIENCE
Artemis II Core Stage Delivered to Kennedy Space Center

NASA assigns crew for SpaceX Crew-10 mission to ISS

Rocket Lab launches fifth StriX satellite for Synspective

SpaceX delays resupply mission to ISS with bad weather

ROCKET SCIENCE
NASA Mars rover captures rock that could hold fossilized microbes

One year on 'Mars': Inside NASA's ultra-realistic isolation study

A Yellow Jacket on Mars

Rocket Lab readies twin spacecraft for NASA Mars mission

ROCKET SCIENCE
Shenzhou XVIII Crew Conducts Emergency Drill on Tiangong Space Station

Beijing Unveils 'Rocket Street' to Boost Commercial Space Sector

Shenzhou XVII Crew Shares Post-Mission Insights with Media

Shenzhou XVIII Crew Successfully Completes Second Spacewalk

ROCKET SCIENCE
Florida universities collaborate to advance space manufacturing sector

Reticulate Micro Unveils $10M Regulation A Capital Raise

From Garuda to Pioneering Nepal's Space-Tech Industry

Terran Orbital Secures Up to $98 Million via ATM Program

ROCKET SCIENCE
Astroscale launches SPACE PROTECTOR simulator to educate on space debris

ATLAS Space Operations swiftly integrates TROPICS spacecraft

NASA nearing completion of NISAR antenna reflector work

China Leads in Innovations for Large-Span Arch Bridge Construction

ROCKET SCIENCE
Why advanced Technosignatures could evade detection

Key Insights into Rapid Formation of Giant Planets

Astronomers use AI to Detect Stars Consuming Planets

NASA's Landolt Mission to Enhance Precision in Star Brightness Measurement

ROCKET SCIENCE
Ariel's Carbon Dioxide Indicates Potential Subsurface Ocean on Uranus' Moon

Spacecraft to swing by Earth, Moon on path to Jupiter

A new insight into Jupiter's shrinking Great Red Spot

Queen's University Belfast Researchers Investigate Mysterious Brightening of Chiron

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.