Orbit Fab, an American startup based in Lafayette, Colorado, was founded in 2018 with the mission to eliminate the single-use spacecraft paradigm through in-space refueling. The company offers a supply of satellite propellants in Earth Orbit and has developed a cooperative docking and refueling interface known as RAFTI. This innovative technology replaces the traditional fill and drain valve, enabling both on-orbit and ground fueling.

In addition to hardware, Orbit Fab has developed UMPIRE, a mission planning software that enables trade space optimization. This comprehensive approach to spacecraft refueling has allowed Orbit Fab to make significant strides in the industry. They have resupplied water to the International Space Station and launched the first commercial fuel depot into Low Earth Orbit.

Orbit Fab’s services are not limited to commercial enterprises; they also extend to government programs. The company is backed by investors and has recently raised $28.5 million in an Early Stage VC funding round. With around 50 employees, Orbit Fab is at the forefront of developing solutions that increase the longevity and flexibility of spacecraft, contributing to a more sustainable space environment.