4 minute read•Updated 5:31 PM EDT, Tue April 8, 2025
Astroscale US has announced it will refuel two U.S. Space Force spacecraft in geostationary orbit (GEO) as part of a groundbreaking demonstration mission slated for launch in 2026. The announcement was made today during the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.
At the core of this demonstration mission is the Astroscale U.S. Refueler spacecraft (APS-R), a 300-kilogram vehicle designed to provide hydrazine fuel to client satellites in GEO and to replenish its own fuel from an on-orbit propellant depot developed by Orbit Fab, a key commercial partner in the mission.
“This mission matters because it proves something fundamental: on-orbit logistics are no longer theoretical. They are operational,” - Clare Martin, Executive Vice President of Astroscale U.S.
A Multi-Phase Mission to Advance Satellite Servicing
Scheduled to launch in summer 2026, APS-R will head to GEO; approximately 35,786 kilometers above Earth, where it will initiate a series of carefully choreographed maneuvers and docking operations. The spacecraft’s first objective is to rendezvous and dock with a U.S. Space Force satellite, confirmed to be one of the two Tetra-5 spacecraft, developed as part of a technology demonstration program to test refueling concepts.
Once docked, APS-R will transfer hydrazine propellant to Tetra-5. After undocking, APS-R will retreat to a safe standoff distance and employ a hyperspectral sensor to inspect the spacecraft for any fuel leaks, an important safety and validation step in the refueling process.
The refueler will then travel to an Orbit Fab propellant depot, where it will replenish its own fuel supply, demonstrating the feasibility of a closed logistics loop in GEO. After topping off, APS-R will journey to a second, currently unidentified Space Force spacecraft to carry out a second refueling operation.
A New Era of Maneuverability and Mission Extension
“This is an operational, repeatable logistics capability that unlocks sustained maneuverability in space,” - Ian Thomas, Program Manager for APS-R at Astroscale U.S.
APS-R will undergo a 45-day checkout period post-launch, followed by “event windows” spanning six months during which the refueling operations will take place. These operations will occur about 400 kilometers above the standard GEO belt, ensuring a safe and stable operating environment.
The APS-R platform has a design life of two to three years, providing ample opportunity for future missions beyond the initial Space Force demonstration.
“There is plenty of opportunity after this initial phase of refueling operations to continue service,” - Clare Martin, Executive Vice President of Astroscale U.S.
Powered by Public-Private Partnership
This high-profile demonstration is supported by a $61 million Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement awarded through the Space Enterprise Consortium, facilitated by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL).
“What an OTA does is pull out all the red tape, all the restrictions...It allows for rapid prototyping and testing of next-gen capabilities in a flexible and responsive way.” - Michael Young, vice president of NSTXL.
The roots of APS-R trace back to a September 2023 OTA award, which initiated early development of the refueler and included an additional $12 million investment from Astroscale U.S. At the time, a launch timeline was not yet confirmed—making today’s announcement a significant milestone in advancing U.S. space logistics capabilities.
Strategic Significance for U.S. Space Operations
The ability to extend the life and mobility of spacecraft in GEO is increasingly seen as critical to national security, given the strategic value of satellites operating in this high-altitude orbit. With the 2026 mission, Astroscale U.S. and its partners aim to demonstrate that orbital servicing is not only feasible but ready for real-world applications.
As the space domain becomes more congested and contested, the ability to refuel, repair, and relocate satellites could become a cornerstone of both military and commercial space operations.
