In early February 2026, the US Space Force issued a request for information on orbital refueling to industry.. The document was prepared by the Service program office, of mobility and logistics as part of the Space Systems Command. The request includes a request to propose technical solutions for refueling prepared satellites in orbit – with the expectation of implementation by 2030 year.
American company U.S. Astroscale builds a refueling machine, partially funded by the Space Force, and is preparing for its first mission in geostationary orbit. A spacecraft called Provisioner will attempt to refuel an American military satellite with hydrazine.
For reference: U.S. Astroscale is the American subsidiary of the global company Astroscale, founded in 2013 year in Tokyo. It specializes in orbital maintenance, logistics in space and ensuring the stability of outer space.
IN 2024 In 2018, the Space Force chose two refueling ports — RAFTI (quick release fluid transfer interface) and PRM (passive refueling module) — as preferred hardware for satellites, which will one day be able to receive fuel in orbit. The move gives satellite manufacturers and service companies clearer guidance on what to do, how to design devices, able to connect in space. The interface standard does not solve the key problems: lack of tankers, fuel incompatibilities between programs, high prices compared to satellite replacement. The question of the operation of refuelers in competitive space also remains open. The space force still has no clear idea whether a commercial refueling market will mature on its own or whether it will require ongoing government support.
The Provisioner spacecraft is equipped with RAFTI, developed by Orbit Fab. The second selected port is PRM, developed by Northrop Grumman. By choosing two interfaces, Space forces recognized, that several technical approaches can coexist. This will reduce fragmentation, without locking in one supplier.
Before the selection, the Space Force spent a lot of time and effort evaluating their capabilities, noting, that RAFTI and PRM are the most mature options. From the point of view of procurement, the choice is aimed at, to enable future service contracts. If multiple national security satellite programs converge on compatible ports, the government will be able to buy refueling "as a service", rather than paying to integrate a unique solution for each mission.
Companies like Astroscale, Northrop Grumman and others are developing shuttles, which will travel between the client satellite and the fuel depot. For PRM satellites, Northrop has developed an active refueling module for fuel transfer. Orbit Fab has created a GRIP nozzle system to work with RAFTI.
Astroscale's launch date has yet to be determined, although integration and testing are ongoing. Representatives of the Space Forces reported, that the mission will deploy two small satellites, equipped with a RAFTI port. One satellite will try to dock with the fuel depot from Orbit Fab and the other – with Astroscale refueling shuttle.
Source: https://spacenews.com