Space Force Satellite Refueling Demos 2026 and 2028
COMPILED NOTES
$118.8M in contracts for first government-funded satellite refueling: Astroscale APS-R (2026) + Northrop Elixir (2028)
Space Force Satellite Refueling Demos 2026 and 2028
2026 Demo: Astroscale APS-R Mission
- Summer 2026 target for first refueling demonstration
- Astroscale APS-R spacecraft will:
- Launch to above GEO
- Refuel a Space Force Tetra-5 satellite
- Refuel itself from an Orbit Fab depot spacecraft
- Refuel a second Space Force satellite
- Six-month mission window, actual refueling ops much faster
- First triple-refueling demo — proves the full supply chain (depot → servicer → client)
2028 Demo: Northrop Grumman "Elixir"
- Northrop Grumman developing satellite bus with refueling capabilities
- Will dock with Space Force Tetra-6 satellite
- Expected no earlier than 2028
Funding Breakdown
| Source | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Space Systems Command | $44.5M (2022) | Two Tetra-5 target satellites |
| Defense Innovation Unit | $13.3M | Orbit Fab fuel depot |
| Space Enterprise Consortium | $61M | Astroscale refueler satellite |
| Total | $118.8M |
Key Quote
Lt. Gen. Philip A. Garrant: wants to "help us flesh out the requirements" and determine business viability before large-scale investment.
Significance
- First US military satellite refueling — validates operational concept
- Proves depot-servicer-client model (Orbit Fab + Astroscale + Space Force)
- Success would unlock larger contracts and establish refueling as standard capability
- Combined with commercial GEO servicing market — dual-use business case
Source: Space Force Satellite Refueling Demos Coming in 2026 and 2028 — Air & Space Forces Magazine, 2025
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