The Astroscale U.S. Refueler (photo by Astroscale)

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) issued a contract to Astroscale‘s U.S. subsidiary to conduct two hydrazine refueling operations of a U.S. Space Force (USSF) satellite in Geostationary Orbit (GEO). Astroscale U.S. will use its 300-kilogram Refueler spacecraft, scheduled to launch in the summer of 2026, to complete the mission.

The DoD contract is an agreement modification to Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) Space Mobility and Logistics prototype project (23-05) executes reserved scope to transition APS-R, the Astroscale U.S. Refueler, to full mission development and operational demonstration. SSC released the SML Request for Prototype Proposal through SpEC, the Space Enterprise Consortium, to accelerate in-space capabilities, including refueling, transportation, servicing and debris mitigation.

If successful, Astroscale’s Refueler would be the first spacecraft to conduct hydrazine refueling operations above GEO and the first to complete an on-orbit refueling mission supporting a DoD asset. Astroscale’s partners on the mission include: Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), which is building the bus; and Orbit Fab, which is providing the refueling interfaces.

“We’re changing the reality of what’s possible,” Astroscale U.S. President Ron Lopez said in the contract announcement. “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.”