Orbit Fab: programs, progress and news

Analyst view

Series A raised $28.5M in April 2023; Series B of $20M in March 2026 values company at $80M.
RAFTI approved by US Space Force as military standard in August 2024; 12 ports shipped by March 2024.
Tetra-5 satellites equipped with RAFTI scheduled to launch in 2026 for first in-orbit refueling demonstration.

As reported

Interface

RAFTI allows satellites to dock with Orbit Fab's fuel shuttle in orbit and on the ground, reducing custom engineering.

Fuel Depot

Orbit Fab places fuel depots in orbit and docks with satellites to transfer propellant on demand.

Planning

UMPIRE optimizes refueling mission planning and orbital mechanics, helping operators decide when and where to refuel.

Pricing

Orbit Fab charges per kilogram of fuel delivered, letting operators extend mission life cost-effectively.

Programs

Orbit Fab, one program

Updated 6 Aug 2024

Research · Proto · Pilot · Deploy · Scaling

2 items

6 Aug 2024
demoUSSF formally approves RAFTI as accepted refueling interface (opens smallsatnews.com)RAFTI Refueling Port & Fuel Depot Service
Elevated from test ports to official military standard, enabling broader procurement and integration into military spacecraft.
22 Mar 2024
demoFirst RAFTI ports shipped to US Space Force and Astroscale (opens defensenews.com)RAFTI Refueling Port & Fuel Depot Service
First commercial in-space refueling interface to enter production, validating the technology and opening the market.

Open · Active · Partial

Standardization across the industryActive research
RAFTI is one design; widespread adoption requires competitors to accept a single standard or multiple incompatible ports to proliferate.
Zero-g fluid handlingPartially solved
Transferring pressurized fuel in microgravity without vapor lock or loss requires precise control and new hardware designs tested in orbit.
Cost parity with replacementActive research
Refueling a satellite must be cheaper than deorbiting and launching a replacement; this requires scale to drive down depot operations costs.

In-space mobility · 4

3 rounds · as reported

Date	Round	Amount	Post-money	Lead
13 Mar 2026	Series B	$20M	—	Stride Capital
Jul 2024	Grant	$1.7M	—	—
17 Apr 2023	Series A	$29M	—	8090 Industries

2 customers · 3 investors

Customer
US Space Force (opens defensenews.com)
First 12 RAFTI ports shipped in March 2024; Tetra-5 satellites equipped with RAFTI scheduled for 2026 launch.
Customer
Astroscale (opens defensenews.com)
Equipping Life Extension In-Orbit (LEXI) spacecraft with RAFTI for 2026 missions.
Investor
Northrop Grumman (opens orbitfab.com)
Investor
Lockheed Martin (opens orbitfab.com)
Investor
Marubeni Ventures (opens orbitfab.com)

Key people