RAFTI Refueling Port & Fuel Depot Service by Orbit Fab: status and timeline

RAFTI Refueling Port & Fuel Depot Service

RAFTI is a standardized mechanical interface allowing satellites to refuel in orbit from Orbit Fab's fuel depot. Extends mission life and reduces replacement costs.

DeployStage 4 of 5

RAFTI approved August 2024. Tetra-5 satellites launching 2026. Fuel service starting 2025.

Updated 6 Aug 2024Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · Tetra-5 satellites with RAFTI launch to geostationary orbit

First 12 RAFTI ports manufactured and shipped to customersMar 2024Complete.
USSF approves RAFTI as accepted military standardAug 2024Complete.
Daniel Faber steps down as CEO; series B closes at $80M valuationMar 2026Complete.
Peter Shaper appointed CEO to lead commercializationJul 2026Complete.
Tetra-5 satellites with RAFTI launch to geostationary orbitTarget 2026Not yet reached.
First on-orbit refueling demonstration with Tetra-5Target 2026Not yet reached.
Full integrated refueling architecture qualification completeTarget 2027Not yet reached.

Most important updates

Upcoming

2026Tetra-5 satellites with RAFTI launch to geostationary orbit (next)
2026First on-orbit refueling demonstration with Tetra-5
2026First on-orbit refueling transfer mission begins
2027Full integrated refueling architecture qualification complete

Current obstacles

Zero-gravity fluid dynamicsLiquid fuel in orbit behaves differently than on Earth; pressurization, vibration, and thermal management must prevent vapor lock and fuel loss during transfer.
Debris and collision riskOn-orbit operations introduce risk of micrometeorite strikes and collisions; safety systems and insurance requirements add cost and complexity.
Competitive pricing against replacementRefueling must cost less than launching a new satellite; depot operations must scale to reach that cost floor.

Physics limits

Fuel evaporation in storageEven in vacuum, propellants evaporate slowly; depots must be resupplied regularly or placed in sun-synchronous orbits where thermal control is possible.
Docking is slow and riskyAutonomous rendezvous at high velocity is feasible but requires precision guidance and contingency protocols; abort maneuvers consume fuel.
Limited refueling sitesOrbit Fab can only maintain depots in a handful of operational orbits; satellites outside those bands must maneuver to the depot, consuming their own fuel.

How it works

4 parts

Spacecraft equipped

Install RAFTI fuel port

A satellite is built with a RAFTI port for docking with Orbit Fab's fuel shuttle in orbit or on Earth.

Fuel depot

Orbit Fab maintains fuel in space

Orbit Fab places fuel depots in specific orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO) and performs refueling transfers on schedule.

Docking

Fuel shuttle rendezvous

Orbit Fab's shuttle rendezvous with the satellite, mates with RAFTI, and transfers fuel with precise zero-g control.

Extension

Satellite life extended

With a fresh fuel load, the satellite can continue its mission for years longer, deferring or eliminating the cost and debris of replacement.

Spec sheet

Spec	RAFTI Refueling Port & Fuel Depot Service
RAFTI ports delivered (March 2024)	12 units (8 to USSF, 4 to commercial)^R (reported)
Hydrazine delivery cost (GEO)	$20 million per 100 kg^R (reported)
Fuel service availability	2025 onwards^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

Papers & demos

2 items

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

Update log

2 updates

Tue 6 Aug 2024

Major: US Space Force formally approves RAFTI as accepted refueling interface for military satellitesPressRegulatory

Fri 22 Mar 2024

Major: Orbit Fab ships first 12 RAFTI refueling ports to customers including the US Space ForcePressHardware

About Orbit Fab

The team behind RAFTI Refueling Port & Fuel Depot Service

Orbit Fab

In-space refueling, RAFTI fuel port, orbital logistics

Orbit Fab provides in-space refueling services and develops RAFTI, a standardized fuel-port interface for satellites. The company operates fuel depots in orbit and offers mission planning software, enabling satellites to extend operational life.

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.

orbitfab.com (opens orbitfab.com)Company profile →

Founded: 20188 yrs
Headquarters: United States
Status: Private
Valuation: $80MprivateMar 2026
Raised: $50M3 rounds
Last round: Series B · $20M13 Mar 2026
Works in: SpaceflightIn-space mobility
Coverage: 1 program · 4 updateslatest 13 Jul 2026checked 10 Oct
Lead investors: Stride Capital8090 Industries
Customers: US Space Force (opens defensenews.com)Astroscale (opens defensenews.com)
Investors: Northrop Grumman (opens orbitfab.com)Lockheed Martin (opens orbitfab.com)Marubeni Ventures (opens orbitfab.com)
People: Daniel Faber (opens crunchbase.com)Founder & Board AdvisorJeremy Schiel (opens crunchbase.com)Co-founder & Chief Development OfficerPeter Shaper (opens govconwire.com)CEO

Spec

RAFTI Refueling Port & Fuel Depot Service

RAFTI ports delivered (March 2024)

12 units (8 to USSF, 4 to commercial)^R (reported)

Hydrazine delivery cost (GEO)

$20 million per 100 kg^R (reported)

Fuel service availability

2025 onwards^R (reported)