Latest news with #Tetra-5
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The U.S. is building a fuel depot in space
Some 22,500 miles above Earth, a spacecraft filled with thruster fuel will gas up two orbiting Space Force assets. The high-altitude endeavor, undertaken by the orbital servicing enterprise Astroscale U.S., is slated to occur in the summer of 2026, the company announced this week. This Department of Defense-funded mission will see Astroscale's 660-pound craft refuel a satellite with the propellant hydrazine, then maneuver to a fueling depot to fill up with more fuel, and then refuel another asset. (All the involved assets haven't yet been revealed by the Space Force.) It will be the first time a Space Force craft is refueled in orbit. Such a fuel shuttle could keep missions in space longer and eliminate the need for any craft to suspend its mission to retrieve thruster propellant. It's a novel type of full-service gas station. "This changes fundamentally how we do things in space," Ian Thomas, Astroscale U.S.' Refueler Program Manager, told Mashable. SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills. After launching, the refueled craft will travel to a region called geostationary orbit, which is a unique place around Earth where spacecraft orbit at same rate Earth is rotating — meaning they stay locked in the same position relative to our planet. There, Astroscale's craft will carefully approach its first Space Force satellite target, called Tetra-5, and transfer fuel. The refueler will then thrust away and inspect the scene with a specialized camera to ensure no valuable fuel is leaking. Then, the refueler will fly to a nearby fuel depot, or gas station, and attach and pull fuel from the depot before traveling to its second refueling target. "This changes fundamentally how we do things in space." "The point of the mission is to make sure all the different parts are viable and work," Thomas explained. "You have a fuel depot, a client, and us." How Astroscale's refueler, "ASP-R," will approach and refuel spacecraft in orbit around Earth. Credit: Astroscale U.S. For an outer space operation, while certainly not simple, it's relatively efficient once the refueler arrives at a spacecraft running on empty. "It is definitely longer than refueling your car but it's something that can be done in a matter of hours," Thomas said. You've probably noticed that most spacecraft, whether satellites or NASA deep space probes, are fitted with solar panels. These are invaluable, as they provide power to a craft's computer systems, cameras, and beyond. But they can't provide propellant to move and reorient craft, avoid high-speed space junk, or keep a satellite from naturally getting dragged into Earth's atmosphere. That's why refueling is vital. "The paradigm we had doesn't hold up anymore." If a spacecraft can be refueled, engineers can design missions that aren't limited by fuel. The revolutionary, $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope, for example, has finite fuel, and its mission (while still lengthy) is limited to some 20 years. "The paradigm we had doesn't hold up any more," Thomas emphasized. An artist's conception of Astroscale's refueler orbiting Earth. Credit: Astroscale U.S. This isn't Astroscale's first orbital rodeo. In a separate mission intended to deorbit large pieces of space debris (called Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan), the company has already closely approached a large rocket stage to test close proximity maneuverability and reconnaissance; next up, an Astroscale spacecraft will use a robotic arm to bring the large 36-foot-long spent rocket stage down to Earth, in 2028. But before then, the company may prove that running a fuel depot in Earth's orbit isn't just feasible; it could redefine how expensive orbiting spacecraft — whether used for national security, communications, or science — operate in space. "If you run out of fuel, you run out of life," Thomas said.
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.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Redwire Wins Follow-on Contract to Deliver Third Mako Spacecraft for U.S. Space Force
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., February 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a leader in space infrastructure for the next generation space economy, announced today it has been awarded a contract by Orion Space Solutions to deliver a Mako spacecraft to support Tetra-6, a U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) mission. The Tetra-6 mission is a follow-on contract to the USSF/Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Tetra-5 mission, for which Redwire is delivering two Mako spacecraft. The Mako spacecraft for the Tetra-5 and Tetra-6 missions will be the first satellite in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) to be refueled and demonstrate compatibility with multiple available refueling mechanisms. Tetra-5 will demonstrate key capabilities such as cooperative and prepared inspection, docking, on-orbit refueling, proximity operations, and next-generation autonomy techniques that will help to enable future on-orbit servicing capabilities, spacecraft autonomy, and sustained space maneuver. Tetra-6 will enable the USSF to demonstrate additional technological capabilities. "Redwire now offers spacecraft platforms for missions in every orbit, from very low-Earth orbit to low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous orbit, and beyond," said Peter Cannito, Redwire Chairman and CEO. "These platforms represent a critical capability for national security missions. By delivering versatile, cost-effective, and reliable spacecraft solutions, Redwire helps to ensure that our nation and its allies are equipped to address emerging challenges and protect vital interests in space." Redwire now offers five spacecraft platforms: Mako, Thresher, Hammerhead, SabreSat, and Phantom. As a trusted national security supplier, Redwire is building Mako, Thresher, and SabreSat spacecraft for multiple U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) customers, including missions for the USSF and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Hammerhead and Phantom are being used by the European Space Agency (ESA) for cutting-edge exploration and technology demonstration missions, including Proba-1, -2, and –V, which are currently on-orbit, and Proba-3, which launched in December 2024. About RedwireRedwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) is a global space infrastructure and innovation company enabling civil, commercial, and national security programs. Redwire's proven and reliable capabilities include avionics, sensors, power solutions, critical structures, mechanisms, radio frequency systems, platforms, missions, and microgravity payloads. Redwire combines decades of flight heritage and proven experience with an agile and innovative culture. Redwire's approximately 700 employees working from 17 facilities located throughout the United States and Europe are committed to building a bold future in space for humanity, pushing the envelope of discovery and science while creating a better world on Earth. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Tere ORInvestors: investorrelations@ +1 904-425-1431 Sign in to access your portfolio
