Space Force Eyes 2027 Demonstrations of In-Space Refueling and Satellite Servicing The U.S. Space Force is set to launch a series of spacecraft to geostationary orbit in 2027 as part of two separate demonstrations aimed at testing in-space refueling and satellite servicing technologies. These efforts are part of a broader push by the military to develop capabilities for maintaining and extending the operational life of satellites in orbit, akin to how aircraft or ships are serviced on Earth. The mission, known as USSF-23, will deploy a fuel-transfer spacecraft developed by Astroscale U.S., a propellant depot created by Orbit Fab, and a servicing “space tug” from Starfish Space. The goal is to demonstrate what the Space Force refers to as servicing, mobility, and logistics—technologies that officials believe are critical for enhancing the survivability and maneuverability of assets in space. The demonstrations are part of a larger initiative to explore whether orbital logistics can become a commercially viable sector. Col. Scott Carstetter, who leads the servicing, mobility, and logistics office at Space Systems Command, emphasized that his team has spent three years analyzing the potential for a market around orbital logistics. “The key question is whether these services ultimately become commercially provided capabilities or if the government will have to be the leader in some of these areas,” Carstetter said. To address this, his office has funded two major demonstrations, with the USSF-23 mission serving as a pivotal test. One of the demonstrations involves Astroscale’s Provisioner spacecraft, a 300-kilogram vehicle equipped with a refillable hydrazine tank designed to transfer fuel to satellites in orbit. The spacecraft was developed under a 2023 Space Force agreement that included $25.#space_force #northrop_grumman #astroscale_us #orbit_fab #starfish_space
