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Orbit Fab is a space industry startup developing methods to refuel orbital satellites. Co-founded in 2018 by Daniel Faber and Jeremy Schiel, the company's vision is to extend the life of satellites by offering in-space refueling services. The company became the first startup to resupply the International Space Station with water in June 2018. Resupplying the ISS was a milestone achievement in the company's development process.
The tests on the ISS used water, but the same technology can support a wide range of other propellants, including hydrazine, a common propellant for spacecraft thrusters, as well as “green” alternatives.
Orbit Fab developed a new interface for spacecraft refueling called the Rapidly Attachable Fuel Transfer Interface, or RAFTI. It is intended to replace existing fill-and-drain valves on satellite fueling systems, allowing them to be fueled on the ground before launch as well as refueled in space. The first RAFTI system was delivered in 2019.
