Latest news with #RonLopez
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Colorado company to become first to refuel Space Force asset
DENVER (KDVR) — Queue the 'Also sprach Zarathrustra' — a Colorado company will become the first to perform an on-orbit refueling of a United States Department of Defense space asset. 'Disgruntled' employee damages Douglas County doughnut shop, faces charges Astroscale U.S. Inc., a Denver-based on-orbit services and logistics company, will perform two refueling operations of a U.S. Department of Defense satellite that is in geostationary orbit for the United States Space Force, according to a press release from the company. 'We're changing the reality of what's possible,' said Ron Lopez, president of Astroscale U.S. '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 U.S. Refueler is proof that commercial space companies can develop and deliver new, operational capabilities on time and on budget.' The Astroscale U.S. Refueler is expected to launch in the summer of 2026 and will provide on-orbit services to a warfighter. The servicing will be the first to ever support a DoD asset, while simultaneously becoming the first spacecraft to conduct hydrazine refueling above geostationary orbit, according to the company. The Refueler was designed for maneuverability and is a 300-kilogram spacecraft that will carry a refillable hydrazine tank used in two operations that will enable an end-to-end ecosystem between a client, servicer and depot in space. Astroscale developed the spacecraft by selecting Southwest Research Institute to build the bus and using Orbit Fab's refueling interfaces. 'We're not just enabling a refueling mission — we're laying the groundwork for scalable, flexible logistics across space,' said Ian Thomas, Astroscale U.S. Refueler program manager. 'This is infrastructure that expands options for the warfighter and demonstrates what rapid innovation looks like in action.' Former Avs player Chris Simon diagnosed with CTE after he died, analysis finds The company said the Refueler is part of a growing commercial ecosystem supporting dynamic space operations and enhanced options for mission planning, resilience and responsiveness. For more information about the project, visit the Astroscale U.S. Inc. website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Private Astroscale probe will refuel Space Force satellites high above Earth on landmark 2026 mission
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The U.S. arm of on-orbit services and logistics company Astroscale will attempt to refuel a pair of U.S. Space Force spacecraft in a daring and complex mission planned for 2026. The mission, announced at the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs on Tuesday (April 8), aims to pave the way for scalable refueling services in space and bring "added agility and operational flexibility for dynamic space operations" for the Space Force, Astroscale said in a statement. Launch is scheduled for summer 2026. Astroscale's 660-pound (300 kilograms) APS-R Refueler spacecraft will head for the geostationary belt (GEO), around 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth's equator. Positioned slightly above GEO, it will target one of two U.S. Space Force Tetra-5 satellites due to be launched next year, and attempt to dock with the spacecraft. The Refueler will then transfer hydrazine propellant to the target satellite from a refillable tank. Related: Wow! Private space-junk probe snaps historic photo of discarded rocket in orbit Both spacecraft will be traveling around 6,870 mph (11,050 kph) in orbit, requiring exquisite guidance, propulsion and sensor systems to safely approach and dock. That's not all. The mission includes a partnership with startup Orbit Fab. The Tetra-5 satellites will carry Orbit Fab's Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI), which will facilitate refueling. After docking with and refueling a Tetra-5 spacecraft, APS-R will back off, scan for leaks, then head to an Orbit Fab fuel depot to collect more propellant. APS-R will then travel to a second, currently undisclosed spacecraft for another rendezvous, docking and refueling test. "We're changing the reality of what's possible," Ron Lopez, president of Astroscale U.S., said in the statement. "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." Related Stories: — Astroscale aims to capture old space junk with robotic arm in 2026 (exclusive video) — Astroscale gets up to $80 million for space junk inspection mission — Private space-junk probe to conduct up-close inspection of spent rocket stage Astroscale is also making strides in active debris removal with the ADRAS-J orbital inspection mission, which last year got up close to a spent rocket stage. The company also launched the ELSA-d mission in 2021. Astroscale's APS-R Refueler will not be the first spacecraft to attempt to dock with and extend the life of another spacecraft. Northrop Grumman has tested life-extension services for satellites with its Mission Extension Vehicle-1 and Mission Extension Vehicle-2 flights in recent years. China meanwhile launched its own Shijian 25 test refueler and mission extension spacecraft in January. Such missions could lead to a change in how satellites are designed, such as being readily serviceable. This could lead to extended missions and help reduce space debris.
CBS News
10-04-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Denver company developing technology to support warfighters in space with first ever on-orbit refueling mission
A Denver company will be heading to space. Astroscale U.S. will help conduct two refueling operations for a Department of Defense satellite with the first on-orbit refueling mission. The mission hopes to show that in-space logistics are possible and won't take years to complete. "We're changing the reality of what's possible," said Ron Lopez, President of Astroscale U.S. "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." Commander of Space Operations Command Lt. Gen. David Miller spoke about the Space Force Association's space warfighting developments Wednesday at the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. "We're not as ready as we want to be," Miller explained. "I think there's a certain place that the American people in any military service, when they send their kids, their sons and daughters to fight, they're not looking for an even contest. They're looking for our deterrent to be so credible, our capability to be so strong, and our Guardians, in this case, to be so prepared that no adversary would even conceive of anything approaching challenging U.S. space systems or U.S. space superiority." He said China has made numerous advancements in the last decade, including the launch of 1,000 satellites. Miller said China's People's Liberation Army has conducted demonstrations for orbital bombardment systems and has been developing technology for electromagnetic disruption, jamming, and laser capabilities over the last several years. He also said there are concerns over Russian developments of potential counter space or anti-satellite weapons. "It's the reason why we have a Space Force. And, most importantly, it's the reason why Space Operations Command, but really all of the field commands, are focusing on forging what we call combat ready space power. Because that's what the demand is," said Miller. The new Astroscale U.S. Refueler, developed in collaboration with Space System's Command's Servicing Mobility and Logistics Program office, will offer hydrazine refueling operations above the Geostationary Earth Orbit. The refueler's bus and orbit Fab refueling interfaces were developed by the Southwest Research Institute. "We're not just enabling a refueling mission — we're laying the groundwork for scalable, flexible logistics across space," said Ian Thomas, Astroscale U.S. Refueler Program Manager. "This is infrastructure that expands options for the warfighter and demonstrates what rapid innovation looks like in action." The refueler is expected to launch in the summer of 2026.
