San Francisco-based startup Orbit Fab experimenting with gas refueling tanks for fueling satellites in space, which rode aboard SpaceX Dragon capsule on December 4, 2018

Briefing

December 5, 2018

Briefing	Gas Station in Space – Startup Orbit Fab testing and experimenting with prototype of orbiting propellant depots, or gas refueling tanks, at International Space Station (ISS) SpaceX Dragon Mission – Gas tanks rode aboard SpaceX Dragon capsule on December 4, 2018, alongside other experiments to be conducted by astronauts Experiment – Orbit Fab experimenting with transferring propellants or fluids, specifically water, in microgravity using two cubesat-class tankers Next Steps – Orbit Fab will launch gas tanks in orbit, potentially in late 2019, to refuel satellites in space
Accelerator	Space Commercialization
Organization	Orbit Fab
Source	Winick, E., "A startup is about to test a ‘gas station in space’ that could one day refuel satellites", MIT Technology Review, https://www.technologyreview.com/; Foust, J., "Orbit Fab to test refueling technology on ISS", SpaceNews, http://spacenews.com/; AcceleratingBiz analysis
Original Publication Date	December 3, 2018

Related Briefings

Russia sent FEDOR, country’s first humanoid robot, to the International Space Station to assist and learn from astronauts for 10 days

August 23, 2019

Singtel subsidiary Optus Business signed agreement with nanosatellite company Myriota to expand IoT connectivity to remote areas in Australia

August 22, 2019

NASA 3D prints insulation foam to protect Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from extreme temperatures and conditions

April 17, 2019

U.K.-based space startup Orbex revealed Prime rocket that has world’s largest 3D printed rocket engine at opening of new headquarters in Forres, Scotland

February 20, 2019

Private rocket firm Relativity Space became fourth company to secure spot at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, U.S. to launch its 3D printed rocket with five-year contract from U.S. Air Force

February 8, 2019

Go to page

Related Proof Points

Operational Satellites According to Orbit Level

October 10, 2018

Global Satellite Industry Revenues by Segment

October 4, 2018

Annual Successful Rocket Missions of Major Commercial Space Access Providers

April 20, 2018

Global Payload Space Launch Activity by Sector

July 15, 2017

Global Commercial Orbital Space Launch Volume and Revenue

July 10, 2017

Go to page

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Leave a comment