DENVER (KDVR) — Queue the “Also sprach Zarathrustra” — a Colorado company will become the first to perform an on-orbit refueling of a United States Department of Defense space asset.
Astroscale U.S. Inc., a Denver-based on-orbit services and logistics company, will perform two refueling operations of a U.S. Department of Defense satellite that is in geostationary orbit for the United States Space Force, according to a press release from the company.
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“We’re changing the reality of what’s possible,” said Ron Lopez, president of Astroscale U.S. “This mission proves that in-space logistics does not have to be years away. We’re a focused team with one goal: deliver and operate an operational prototype spacecraft for the Space Force. That’s only possible because of our agile structure, solution-oriented design, close collaboration with Space Systems Command’s Servicing Mobility and Logistics program office, and our incredible team. The Astroscale U.S. Refueler is proof that commercial space companies can develop and deliver new, operational capabilities on time and on budget.”
The Astroscale U.S. Refueler is expected to launch in the summer of 2026 and will provide on-orbit services to a warfighter.
The servicing will be the first to ever support a DoD asset, while simultaneously becoming the first spacecraft to conduct hydrazine refueling above geostationary orbit, according to the company.
The Refueler was designed for maneuverability and is a 300-kilogram spacecraft that will carry a refillable hydrazine tank used in two operations that will enable an end-to-end ecosystem between a client, servicer and depot in space.
Astroscale developed the spacecraft by selecting Southwest Research Institute to build the bus and using Orbit Fab’s refueling interfaces.
“We’re not just enabling a refueling mission — we’re laying the groundwork for scalable, flexible logistics across space,” said Ian Thomas, Astroscale U.S. Refueler program manager. “This is infrastructure that expands options for the warfighter and demonstrates what rapid innovation looks like in action.”
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The company said the Refueler is part of a growing commercial ecosystem supporting dynamic space operations and enhanced options for mission planning, resilience and responsiveness.
For more information about the project, visit the Astroscale U.S. Inc. website.
