CNES study finds satellite refuelling feasible without major redesign

(SpaceEnergy) A CNES-commissioned study has concluded that in-orbit refuelling can be integrated into future satellite platforms without fundamental architectural redesign, while identifying requirements for chemical and electric propulsion systems.

Dawn Aerospace, Infinite Orbits and Exotrail completed the 12-month research and technology study for CNES, assessing technical, operational, economic and environmental aspects of refuellable spacecraft.

The work examined two representative spacecraft platforms and developed an operational framework spanning rendezvous and proximity operations, docking, propellant transfer and return to normal operations. It also produced initial system-level requirements and integration concepts covering chemical and electric propulsion.

The assessment found that Dawn Aerospace's Docking and Fluid Transfer interface, which combines mechanical docking and propellant transfer, could be incorporated with relatively limited design changes.

A simplified life-cycle assessment indicated that refuelling could reduce impacts associated with spacecraft manufacturing, material consumption and replacement launches, particularly where servicing vehicles and refuelling infrastructure serve multiple missions and customers.

"The study confirms that in-orbit refueling is technically feasible and can be introduced into future spacecraft platforms without requiring a complete redesign," Dawn Aerospace co-founder and chief revenue officer Jeroen Wink said.

Dawn Aerospace said its next major objective is a 2028 in-orbit demonstration of an end-to-end architecture comprising a Space Utility Vehicle, orbital propellant depot and propellant-transfer operations.