Orbit Fab Reveals $30K Port for Satellite Refueling

Orbit Fab is pioneering the concept of “gas stations” for satellites, necessitating the creation of a crucial component: the gas cap, facilitating propellant transfer from orbital tankers to customer spacecraft. Their docking mechanism, known as RAFTI, has been flight-qualified and is now available on the market, with each port priced at just $30,000.

CEO and co-founder Daniel Faber, with decades of experience in the space industry, notably led Deep Space Industries (DSI), a company focused on asteroid mining, before it was acquired by Bradford Space. Reflecting on DSI’s early work in satellite thrusters for orbital maneuvering and subsequent industry feedback, Faber recognized the potential of in-space refueling as the next frontier.

The economic case is compelling: Faber learned that an additional kilogram of propellant could generate up to $1 million in incremental revenue for satellite missions, highlighting the immense value of in-orbit refueling capabilities.

Faber highlighted the critical role of additional propellant in maximizing spacecraft revenue, emphasizing that even a single kilogram can yield substantial marginal earnings. This realization underscored the immense value proposition of in-orbit refueling, motivating the founding of Orbit Fab.

During the 2010s, alongside the rise of satellite servicing companies such as Astroscale, focused on tasks like space debris removal and satellite life extension, Faber identified a complementary need for orbital gas stations. These stations would serve as vital support infrastructure for “tow truck applications” in space.

Orbit Fab’s journey began with a $6 million seed round in its inaugural year, featuring investments from Bolt and Munich Re Ventures, the venture capital arm of Munich Re Group—a major underwriter in the satellite and rocket industry. Building on this foundation, the company secured a $28.5 million Series A funding round in 2023.