Orbit Fab raised $28.5 million for further fuel delivery and infrastructure missions.
Satellites and orbiting servicing vehicles can use the Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI) refueling port from the Colorado startup. Orbit Fab aims to launch gas station-like fuel tankers that can dock with any spaceship with a RAFTI interface.
Without a mechanism to refuel satellites in space, a spacecraft’s lifespan is limited by its launch fuel. This makes satellites heavier, more expensive, and maneuvers more expensive.
According to Orbit Fab, refueling might enable satellite servicing missions, rendezvous and proximity operations, in-space assembly, and other spacecraft movements that could require longer lifespans and lower satellite operating costs.
Orbit Fab said last August that it would deliver 100 kg of hydrazine to GEO satellites for $20 million starting in 2025.
Over the following three years, the business has had four launches, including three for the U.S. Department of Defense. In addition, orbit Fab’s RAFTI port will be incorporated on military satellites in early 2025 to allow on-orbit hydrazine tankers to refuel them. Orbit Fab’s DOD contracts total $21 million.
Orbit Fab also contracted with Astroscale to replenish its orbital service vehicles in geostationary orbit (GEO). Orbit Fab said the Series A was an up round and had quadrupled its personnel to sixty over the previous year and planned to hire at least 25 more this year.
8090 Industries led the up round, with Stride Capital, Industrious Ventures, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Tribe Capital, Good Growth Capital, and Massive Capital Partners investing.