The UK Space Agency has awarded a £1.3 million Major Project grant to Orbit Fab under the National Space Innovation Programme, marking a significant step towards pioneering sustainable space operations.
This funding will support the development of a high-pressure variant of the RAFTI (Rapidly Attachable Fuel Transfer Interface) refuelling port, slated for release in 2025.
This new technology will facilitate refuelling with pressurised fuels such as Xenon, reducing the reliance on single-use satellites and promoting more sustainable practices in space. Orbit Fab has also secured additional contracts, including £165,000 from the European Space Agency (ESA) via City University London and £500,000 for the initial design phase of a mission to refuel a future UK Active Debris Removal spacecraft.
The “UKRefuel” mission, a collaborative effort with ClearSpace and Astroscale, aims to launch a satellite refuelling service to Low Earth Orbit by 2027. This initiative follows Orbit Fab’s commitment to the ESA Zero Debris Charter, highlighting their dedication to sustainable space operations and responsible refuelling.
Daniel Faber, CEO and Co-Founder of Orbit Fab, stated: “Expanding our UK office and embarking on these new projects is a significant milestone for Orbit Fab. With the support of the UK Space Agency and our partners, we are enhancing the UK’s space capabilities and setting new standards for sustainable space operations. Our UK and US offices are working together to pave the way for a future where orbital refuelling is standard practice, driving a bustling in-space economy and ensuring a more sustainable space environment.”
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, added: “The National Space Innovation Programme will help kickstart growth, create high-quality jobs, protect our planet and preserve the space environment for future generations. New projects, like this one led by Orbit Fab, go to the heart of what we want to achieve as a national space agency that supports cutting-edge innovation, spreads opportunity across the UK, and delivers the benefits of space back to citizens on Earth.”
In addition to the RAFTI development, Orbit Fab is collaborating on two other projects under the National Space Innovation Programme. These include working with Magdrive on a replaceable solid-fuel cartridge for Magdrive’s propulsion system and with Lunasa on sensors for safe rendezvous and proximity operations in orbit.
Following a year of substantial growth, Orbit Fab has tripled its UK workforce to 15 employees and plans to open a new office in Harwell, Oxfordshire. This expansion will support the continued development and operation of orbital refuelling services, which are essential for national security, telecommunications, earth observation, and scientific missions in space.