Dawn Aerospace Unveils Docking & Refueling Port for SatDrive Propulsion Systems

Dawn Aerospace has introduced a new Docking and Fluid Transfer (DFT) port specifically designed for the company’s SatDrive propulsion systems.

The DFT port is a versatile solution that replaces the conventional manual fill and drain valves used for ground-based propellant loading. The port weighs only 0.6 kilograms more than the hardware it replaces, while offering far greater functionality.

The DFT port is engineered to handle pressurized propellants, including nitrous oxide and either propene or ethane. In addition to its primary role in fluid transfer, the port also serves as a critical connection point for power and data, enhancing its utility in various space operations.

Dawn Aerospace plans to begin offering the DFT port as standard equipment for customers utilizing SatDrive propulsion systems with thrust capabilities exceeding 10 kilonewtons, starting in 2025.

“With low mass, low risk, and zero cost, we believe it’s getting close to a ‘no brainer’ decision for any Dawn customer who sees value in refueling...This allows customers to make the leap of faith, even though there are no established refueling services yet.” - Stefan Powell, Dawn CEO

Bridging the Refueling Gap

While the DFT port is a promising advancement, the future of in-space refueling remains uncertain. The market for such services is still in its infancy, with many questions yet to be answered regarding the establishment of a viable business model.

“There is a long way to go before there is a real business and customers there...This is the first step (in our opinion) to making it at all a financial possibility for commercial space. Who exactly does that refueling is something the market will have to decide once there are customers.” - Stefan Powell, Dawn CEO

Dawn Aerospace is already a key player in the satellite propulsion market, supplying nitrous-based propulsion systems to more than 20 customers. The company currently produces approximately one propulsion system per week, a testament to the growing demand for their technology.

“Not all will use the DFT, but if a significant fraction does, we foresee potentially hundreds of refuelable satellites on-orbit by the 2030s...That will go a long way to establishing a customer base for satellite refueling.” - Stefan Powell, Dawn CEO

Beyond Refueling: A Role in Debris Removal

The DFT port’s capabilities extend beyond refueling. It also functions as a contact point for debris removal operations in low-Earth orbit, a growing concern as the number of satellites and space debris increases.

Dawn Aerospace’s commitment to addressing this issue is underscored by its status as a signatory of the European Space Agency’s Zero Debris Charter, reflecting the company’s broader mission to promote sustainable space operations.

Dawn Aerospace, with headquarters in both the Netherlands and New Zealand, is positioning itself at the forefront of a potential revolution in space logistics. The DFT port, with its multiple functions and future-proof design, could play a key role in the emerging ecosystem of in-space services, from refueling to debris management.