Orbit Fab and Airbus Defence and Space work together on satellite refuelling
[Space Comm Expo Europe – 05 March 2026]
Orbit Fab and Airbus Defence and Space work together on satellite refuelling
Orbit Fab are working with Airbus Defence and Space to assess the feasibility of incorporating Orbit Fab’s RAFTI® refuelling valve into possible future Airbus geostationary satellites, as part of a project within the European Space Agency’s programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems, named RADICAL, funded by the UK Space Agency.
At a time of increasing congestion and competition in orbit, refuelling is a potential solution to extend mission lifetimes, reduce replacement costs and increase flexibility to move satellites in response to demand. Refuelling also opens up possibilities for new types of Dynamic Space Operations for defence users who need to manoeuvre their satellites to evade adversaries. Commercial and defence satellites are each aiming to enhance their resilience by removing one of the limiting factors in satellite life – a lack of propellant.
The RADICAL project aims to increase the competitiveness of European telecom satellite operators and manufacturers by preparing them for Orbit Fab’s refuelling operations. Under the RADICAL project, Orbit Fab works with satellite companies like Airbus to understand the required adaptations to the mission operations, system engineering and platform design to enable refuelling.
Jacob Geer, the Managing Director of Orbit Fab in Europe, said: “We are pleased to be working with such a significant company as Airbus on the topic of in orbit refuelling. Combining Orbit Fab’s market leading RAFTI technology with the deep platform and propulsion knowledge of Airbus will enhance Europe’s competitiveness in the crucial Telecoms sector. As the orbital environment and Telecoms market evolves, adopting new services like refuelling is essential to respond to these changing conditions.”
Kata Escott, the Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space UK, said: “We are so proud to be working with Orbit Fab on this exciting project. Collaboration across the UK space sector is what turns bold ideas into breakthrough capabilities. By working together we are accelerating innovation and strengthening our national space ecosystem.”
Henny Sands, the Head of Telecommunications at the UK Space Agency, said: “We are pleased to support this critical use of in orbit servicing to support the changing telecommunications market. It’s a great example of how adaptive UK industry is to changing requirements at a global level.”
About Orbit Fab:
Orbit Fab has the infrastructure to make it easy for any satellite to be refuelled in orbit. With the first fuel depot already in orbit and four fuel delivery systems launching over the next two years, the company can deliver fuel to dozens of client satellites that are now equipped with the RAFTI® refuelling interface. RAFTI can replace traditional satellite service valves for ground fuelling, meaning no additional cost, weight, volume, or complexity for the client spacecraft. RAFTI is available under an open license, is the only commercially available refuelling valve approved for use by the US Space Force and has become the de facto industry standard satellite refuelling interface. Orbit Fab is headquartered in Colorado with a significant European presence in the U.K. Learn more at www.orbitfab.com.
About the European Space Agency:
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.
ESA has established formal cooperation with four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int
Press Contact:
Ms Calypso Kulasegram
contact-uk@orbitfab.com
+44 (0)7 3936 25870
