Orbit Fab
Orbit Fab builds in-space refueling infrastructure, including the RAFTI refueling interface, fuel depots, and shuttles, serving satellite operators, defense agencies, and space agencies across LEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLafayette, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Orbit Fab does
Orbit Fab, Inc. is a private space infrastructure company founded in 2018 and headquartered in Lafayette, Colorado, with a UK subsidiary at Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire. The company develops and operates in-space refueling hardware and software that enables satellites to receive propellant while remaining in their operational orbits, eliminating the historical single-use spacecraft paradigm. Its core technology stack centers on the RAFTI (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface), an open-license, cooperative docking and refueling interface that is flight-qualified at TRL 8 and approved by the U.S. Space Force. Supporting products include the GRIP active docking interface installed on Orbit Fab's fuel shuttles, the FLATIRONs computer-vision RPOD solution, and UMPIRE mission planning software that optimizes refueling logistics. The company has launched Tanker-001 Tenzing, the first commercial fuel depot in space, and is developing the RAVEN shuttle (150-200 kg propellant capacity) and NEST depot for a planned 2030 distributed refueling network.
Orbit Fab generates revenue through a mix of one-time hardware sales (RAFTI ports to satellite manufacturers), transactional fuel delivery services (publicly priced at $20M for 100 kg of hydrazine in GEO), mission planning subscriptions (UMPIRE), and government professional services contracts (NASA Lunar Gateway fluid coupling development, AFWERX STRATFI, DIU RAPIDS, ESA ASTRAL). Customers span U.S. Space Force, NASA, UK Space Agency, ESA, Astroscale, ClearSpace, Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, and a base of 100+ commercial spacecraft contracted or equipped with RAFTI. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales with direct engagement of satellite operators, constellation owners, and government programs, supported by take-or-pay contracts for fuel delivery.
The company's near-term commercial inflection points are scheduled for 2025-2026: first fuel delivery to U.S. Space Force satellites, hydrazine refueling service in GEO, Astroscale LEXI xenon delivery, and the Kamino, Rancor, and Mynock missions for DIU, AFRL, and SSC. Long-term, Orbit Fab is targeting the $100B+ of satellites abandoned over the past decade due to fuel constraints and positioning itself as the foundational in-space propellant supply chain for LEO, GEO, and cislunar operations.
Orbit Fab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Orbit Fab
- Legal name
- Orbit Fab, Inc.
- Website
- https://orbitfab.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Orbit Fab builds in-space refueling infrastructure, including the RAFTI refueling interface, fuel depots, and shuttles, serving satellite operators, defense agencies, and space agencies across LEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Orbit Fab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Spacecraft Refueling Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)
Keywords
Where Orbit Fab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lafayette
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Orbit Fab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Fuel Delivery Services: Orbit Fab delivers propellant directly to client satellites via fuel shuttles that dock with RAFTI-equipped spacecraft. Services include full-service refueling (Orbit Fab handles all RPOD operations) and fuel delivery to satellites staying in operational orbit. Customers can purchase specific quantities of fuel (e.g., 100kg hydrazine for $20M in GEO). Revenue is recognized through take-or-pay contracts where customers commit to purchasing fuel at fixed prices.
- RAFTI Interface Sales: Sale of RAFTI refueling ports to spacecraft manufacturers and satellite operators. RAFTI is available under an open license and can be purchased directly from Orbit Fab. The interface replaces existing fill and drain valves with minimal additional cost, weight, volume, or complexity for the client spacecraft.
- UMPIRE Mission Planning Services: Mission planning software services that optimize refueling logistics for customer missions. Included as part of full-service refueling packages, helping customers maximize value from refueling operations.
- Fluid Transfer Technology Development: NASA contract for developing coolant fluid coupling technology for the Lunar Gateway thermal control system. Extends Orbit Fab's capabilities beyond refueling into broader in-space infrastructure technologies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hydrazine Refueling in GEO - $20M for up to 100kg delivery |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hydrazine Refueling in LEO - $20M for up to 100kg delivery |
| Other | Multi-year contract | RAFTI Interface Purchase - Quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Orbit Fab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Orbit Fab builds and operates in-space refueling infrastructure for satellites. It sells the RAFTI refueling interface (a standardized fill/drain replacement) to spacecraft manufacturers and delivers propellant to client satellites via fuel shuttles and on-orbit fuel depots across LEO, GEO, and cislunar space. Supporting products include UMPIRE mission planning software, the GRIP active docking interface, and the upcoming RAVEN shuttle and NEST depot architecture.
Product overview
Orbit Fab is building the in-space propellant supply chain through a portfolio of integrated hardware and software products. The core offering consists of RAFTI (the industry-standard satellite refueling interface) and UMPIRE (mission planning software), complemented by a fleet of fuel depots and shuttles. RAFTI is installed on client spacecraft as a drop-in replacement for fill-and-drain valves; UMPIRE optimizes refueling logistics for each mission; fuel depots store propellant in orbit; and fuel shuttles (including the upcoming RAVEN vehicle) deliver fuel to client satellites. The company offers hydrazine and xenon fuel delivery services in LEO, GEO, and cislunar space, with the RAFTI interface supporting multiple propellant types including Hydrazine, Xenon, High-Test Peroxide, Krypton, and others.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- UMPIRE: Mission planning software that optimizes refueling logistics to best serve and augment mission goals. Trades space optimization for mission ConOps and spacecraft design to maximize revenue potential.
- RAFTI™
- RAVEN
- NEST
- GRIP™
Products and services
- RAFTI (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface) An open-license cooperative docking and refueling interface (TRL 8) that replaces a spacecraft's fill-and-drain valve to enable ground and on-orbit refueling. Available in low-pressure (4.48 MPa) and high-pressure (20.68 MPa) variants, supporting Hydrazine, Xenon, Krypton, High-Test Peroxide, Water, and N2O propellants. Sold to satellite manufacturers and operators.
- UMPIRE Mission Planning Software Mission planning software that analyzes customer inputs (mission operations, spacecraft design, payload mass) and determines optimal refueling architecture, timing, and location to maximize return on investment for satellite operators.
- Fuel Delivery Service End-to-end in-space refueling service in which Orbit Fab fuel shuttles perform rendezvous, proximity operations, docking, and propellant transfer to RAFTI-equipped client satellites across LEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits under take-or-pay contracts.
- RAVEN Shuttle Mobile refueling shuttle designed to transport 150-200 kg of propellant and dock directly with RAFTI-equipped client satellites via the GRIP interface as the mobile element of Orbit Fab's in-space refueling network.
- NEST Depot On-orbit fuel depot designed to store large quantities of propellant and resupply RAVEN shuttles for follow-on servicing missions, forming a distributed network of fuel nodes across orbital regimes.
- GRIP (Grapple and Refueling Interface Plate) Active-side refueling interface installed on Orbit Fab's fuel shuttles. Combines rendezvous, proximity operations and docking, precision propulsion, grappling, and fluid transfer capabilities to enable cooperative docking with RAFTI-equipped client satellites.
Quantifiable outcome
- ~85% of GEO satellites retired not from hardware failures but fuel depletion
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Orbit Fab
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Orbit Fab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Orbit Fab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- Thales Alenia SpacecoreREEF (Refuellable Electric Engine Flatsat) project partnership to design new satellite refueling architecture. Ground-based demonstrator to validate refuellable satellite propulsion systems. UK Space Agency NSIP funded initiative.
- MomentusminorOrbit Fab payload aboard Momentus Vigoride 7 orbital service vehicle on SpaceX Transporter-16 mission. Demonstration of fluid transfer technology.
- Airbus Defence and SpacecoreRADICAL project partnership funded by UK Space Agency through ESA ARTES programme. Working to assess feasibility of incorporating RAFTI refueling valve into future Airbus geostationary satellites. Project aims to increase competitiveness of European telecom satellite operators.
- NASAflagshipSelected by NASA to develop coolant fluid coupling technology for the Lunar Gateway thermal control system. Extends Orbit Fab's capabilities into broader in-space infrastructure for the planned lunar orbit space station.
- KISPE Space SystemscoreASTRAL consortium partner from UK working on Europe's first in-orbit satellite refueling experiment.
- Gate Space Innovation GmbHcoreASTRAL consortium partner from Austria supporting space refueling mission development.
- Blackswan SpaceminorASTRAL consortium partner contributing to European satellite refueling capabilities.
- Indra DeimosminorASTRAL consortium partner from Spain working on satellite refueling infrastructure.
- UK Space AgencycoreMultiple contracts including ASTRAL project leadership (£2.9m), UKRefuel mission (£1.3m), and CLEAR mission partnership. UK Space Agency funding Orbit Fab's European presence and refueling technology development.
- European Space AgencycoreASTRAL project funding through ESA ARTES Core Competitiveness programme. ESA has supported development of refueling standards and interfaces through multiple initiatives.
- Astroport Space TechnologiesminorPartnership for lunar exploration breakthrough, focusing on propellant production and distribution from lunar resources.
- U.S. Space ForceflagshipApproved Orbit Fab's RAFTI as accepted refueling interface for military satellites. DIU RAPIDS contract to deliver fuel to Space Force satellites. Partnership on 2027 on-orbit refueling demonstrations.
- Dawn AerospaceminorPartnership to enable on-orbit refueling of green propellants. Dawn Aerospace provides spacecraft and propulsion technology complementary to Orbit Fab's refueling infrastructure.
- ClearSpacecorePartnership for UK Space Agency-funded CLEAR mission to equip ClearSpace debris-removing satellites with RAFTI refueling capabilities. ClearSpace integrating RAFTI into ADR satellite design. Phase worth £2.2 million total with design phase running until October 2023.
- Breaking GroundminorWorld's first agreement for donation of lunar regolith, setting space resource transaction precedent. Partnership for lunar propellant sourcing research.
- Neutron Star SystemsminorCooperative agreement for sustainable propulsion and satellite refuelling technologies combining NSS electric propulsion with Orbit Fab's refueling infrastructure.
- Phase FourminorCollaboration to explore integration of RAFTI refueling system with Phase Four's Maxwell engines using traditional and green propellants.
- AstroscaleflagshipFirst commercial in-space fuel sale agreement. Orbit Fab will deliver up to 1,000kg of xenon propellant to Astroscale's LEXI servicing vehicles in GEO orbit. LEXI spacecraft launched 2026 to perform life extension services for commercial and government customers. This take-or-pay contract was the first of its kind for the space industry.
- U.S. Air Force Research LaboratorycoreCRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement) for on-orbit refueling technology. Research agreement signed to develop and test RAFTI interface for government spacecraft.
- Spaceflight Inc.coreLaunch partner for Tanker-001 Tenzing aboard SpaceX Transporter-2 mission. Spaceflight provided rideshare integration services for Orbit Fab's first orbital fuel depot.
- Benchmark Space SystemscorePartnership for Tenzing spacecraft to carry hydrogen peroxide propellant for Benchmark Space Systems' propulsion systems. Tenzing launched with HTP propellant demonstration.
- SCOUTminorPartnership to host first commercial inspection payload for space situational awareness aboard Orbit Fab spacecraft.
- ISS National LaboratorycoreContract with ISS National Lab to test key systems aboard International Space Station. Orbit Fab became first private company to resupply water to the ISS.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Orbit Fab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Momentus: Momentus provides in-space transportation services via its Vigoride orbital transfer vehicle. Momentus has hosted Orbit Fab payload demonstrations on its Vigoride platform, and both companies compete in the broader in-orbit services market.
- ClearSpace: ClearSpace is developing active debris removal services (CLEAR mission for UK Space Agency) and has partnered with Orbit Fab to integrate RAFTI into its ADR satellites. ClearSpace and Orbit Fab together address the on-orbit servicing and life-extension market.
- D-Orbit: D-Orbit operates in-orbit transportation services via its ION Satellite Carrier platform, offering last-mile delivery and orbital transfer for small satellites. Both companies address the broader in-orbit services market with complementary capabilities.
- Astroscale: Astroscale operates LEXI, a satellite life-extension servicer that has signed a take-or-pay refueling contract with Orbit Fab to receive up to 1,000kg of xenon in GEO. Astroscale is both an Orbit Fab customer and a peer in the satellite servicing market.
- Northrop Grumman (SpaceLogistics / MEV): Northrop Grumman's SpaceLogistics division operates the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) — the first commercial in-orbit satellite life-extension service, docking with Intelsat satellites to extend their operational life. It is the closest direct competitor to Orbit Fab's fuel delivery model and is also a strategic investor in Orbit Fab.
Broad incumbents
- Lockheed Martin (In-space Servicing): Lockheed Martin is a strategic investor in Orbit Fab and operates in-space servicing programs including satellite life-extension and refueling concepts. As a broader aerospace prime, Lockheed Martin offers overlapping capability but as part of a much larger portfolio.
- Thales Alenia Space: Thales Alenia Space is partnered with Orbit Fab on the REEF (Refuellable Electric Engine Flatsat) project to design a refuellable satellite propulsion architecture. As a major European satellite prime, Thales Alenia Space is both a customer and potential competitor in the refueling ecosystem.
- Airbus Defence and Space: Airbus is partnered with Orbit Fab on the RADICAL project to integrate RAFTI into future Airbus GEO satellites. As a major European satellite manufacturer, Airbus represents a critical customer and a potential standard-setter for European refueling infrastructure.
Emerging players
- Benchmark Space Systems: Benchmark Space Systems provides in-space mobility and propulsion products (including green HTP propellant systems) used on Orbit Fab's Tanker-001 Tenzing. Both companies address the in-space propulsion and refueling ecosystem, with Orbit Fab providing the interface and Benchmark providing the propulsion technology.
- Atomos Space: Atomos Space is developing orbital transfer vehicles (Glide) to reposition small satellites in LEO, addressing a similar in-orbit transportation and servicing market with overlapping but narrower scope than Orbit Fab's refueling infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Orbit Fab social profiles
Digital presenceOrbit Fab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Orbit Fab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Orbit Fab subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Orbit Fab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds14 records
Investors30 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Orbit Fab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Orbit Fab
What does Orbit Fab do?
Orbit Fab builds and operates in-space refueling infrastructure for satellites. It sells the RAFTI refueling interface (a standardized fill/drain replacement) to spacecraft manufacturers and delivers propellant to client satellites via fuel shuttles and on-orbit fuel depots across LEO, GEO, and cislunar space. Supporting products include UMPIRE mission planning software, the GRIP active docking interface, and the upcoming RAVEN shuttle and NEST depot architecture.
Is Orbit Fab a public or private company?
Orbit Fab is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Orbit Fab founded?
Orbit Fab was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Orbit Fab based?
Orbit Fab is headquartered in Lafayette, United States, in the North America region.
How does Orbit Fab make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Fuel Delivery Services are the primary driver. The others are RAFTI Interface Sales, UMPIRE Mission Planning Services and fluid Transfer Technology Development.
Who are Orbit Fab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Momentus, ClearSpace, D-Orbit, Astroscale and Northrop Grumman (SpaceLogistics / MEV). Broad incumbents are Lockheed Martin (In-space Servicing), Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space. Emerging players are Benchmark Space Systems and Atomos Space.
Does Orbit Fab have an API?
No public API is recorded for Orbit Fab.
What industry is Orbit Fab in?
Orbit Fab's product category is Spacecraft Refueling Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAM, Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal), with a secondary code of IMABACAI, Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.