ESA awards Orbit Fab first ASTRAL refueling contract
ESA awarded Orbit Fab a GBP 1.3 million first-stage contract to lead the ASTRAL in-orbit refueling demonstration, within a program carrying up to $3.8 million of UK funding.
Evidence notes
- The first ASTRAL stage is a GBP 1.3 million contract awarded through ESA's ARTES program.
- Orbit Fab leads a European consortium planning an in-orbit docking and xenon-transfer experiment by 2028.
- The mission will validate RAFTI and GRASP interfaces across docking, fluid transfer and safe-release operations.
Company context
Orbit Fab develops spacecraft refuelling infrastructure, including docking interfaces and in-space propellant services. Its logistics layer supports autonomous satellite operations and resilient space supply chains.