A company is pushing the boundaries of space technology by developing “cosmic petrol stations” that will refuel satellites and enable longer space missions. The company, Orbit Fab, plans to have these refuelling stations in orbit by 2027.
Based at the Harwell Space Campus in Oxfordshire, Orbit Fab recently secured £1.3 million from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme. This funding supports their groundbreaking Spitfire project, which aims to make in-space refuelling a reality.
Right now, satellites can’t be refuelled once they’re in orbit. When they run out of fuel, they become space junk, drifting aimlessly. Jacob Geer, managing director at Orbit Fab UK, explained: “Docking a spacecraft in space to transfer fuel has never been done before. We’re changing that by ensuring that every satellite going to space has a fueling port, similar to how cars have fuel tanks. We’ll then send up our robotic systems to refuel these satellites, allowing them to continue their missions.”
Geer emphasised the advantages of being based in Harwell, where many space-focused companies are working on similar projects. “It’s a fantastic place to be,” he said. “Everything is easier because everyone we need is close by.”
The technology being developed could revolutionise space travel. Geer likened it to everyday life: “When you leave your house in the morning, you don’t worry about having a full tank of gas because you know there are petrol stations along the way. That’s what we’re aiming to create in space—a network of fuel stations to keep satellites operational.”
Omar Raj, a fluid systems engineer at Orbit Fab, described the process as being like refuelling a car. It would take about four hours to complete the refuelling process in space, but it requires precise alignment of the two orbiting spacecraft, travelling at speeds of around 18,000 mph (29,000 km/h). This “complex dance” is a critical part of the operation.
Raj also shared the broader vision for the future: “We’re building a network of fuel depots—big tanks in space—and fuel shuttles that will service client satellites.”
Jas Tiruvuru, business development manager for Orbit Fab in the UK and Europe, said the company is working towards a successful demonstration of this technology by 2027. “This will be the first-ever satellite-to-satellite refuelling demonstration, funded here in the UK,” she noted. “Once we’ve proven that we can refuel two spacecraft, the market potential will be enormous.”
The satellite sector is projected to be worth over £6.3 billion ($8.2 billion) by 2035, and Orbit Fab’s innovative technology could play a key role in unlocking that value.
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