Astroscale US to lead the first-ever refueling of a United States Space Force asset

Astroscale US will conduct two refueling operations of a US Department of Defense (DoD) satellite in geostationary orbit (GEO) for the United States Space Force (USSF). This mission will demonstrate the ability of commercial Servicing, Mobility and Logistics providers to deliver on-orbit capabilities supporting the warfighter. The Astroscale US Refueler is manifested to launch in the summer of 2026.

The Astroscale US Refueler will be the first spacecraft to conduct hydrazine refueling operations above GEO and will be the first-ever on-orbit refueling mission supporting a DoD asset. Designed for maneuverability, the 300-kilogram spacecraft will carry a refillable hydrazine tank, supporting refueling for a client spacecraft during two planned operations and enabling an end-to-end refueling ecosystem with a client, servicer and depot in space. 

“We’re changing the reality of what’s possible,” said Ron Lopez, President of Astroscale US. “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 US Refueler is proof that commercial space companies can develop and deliver new, operational capabilities on time and on budget.”

This mission will establish space heritage for scalable refueling services, a critical step toward enabling sustained maneuverability. Astroscale US selected Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to build the bus and Orbit Fab’s refueling interfaces; the Astroscale US Refueler is part of a growing commercial ecosystem supporting dynamic space operations and enhanced options for mission planning, resilience and responsiveness.

“We’re not just enabling a refueling mission — we’re laying the groundwork for scalable, flexible logistics across space,” said Ian Thomas, Astroscale US Refueler Program Manager. “This is infrastructure that expands options for the warfighter and demonstrates what rapid innovation looks like in action.”