Orbit Fab qualifies high-pressure refuelling interface

(SpaceEnergy) Orbit Fab has completed qualification of a high-pressure spacecraft refuelling interface supporting xenon, krypton and argon electric propulsion, with an in-orbit demonstration planned for late 2026.

The UK-developed RAFTI High Pressure interface completed environmental, pressure, leak and functional qualification testing under the UK Space Agency-funded SPITFIRE programme.

Rated to a maximum expected operating pressure of 345 bar, the interface supports xenon, krypton and argon as well as the self-pressurising chemical propellants nitrous oxide and ethane.

Orbit Fab designed RAFTI HP as a replacement for a spacecraft's conventional single-use fill-and-drain valve, allowing the same interface to support ground fuelling and later in-orbit refuelling.

Development and qualification were undertaken by Orbit Fab's UK team at Harwell, with testing involving the University of Southampton, MDA UK, Satellite Applications Catapult and the University of Surrey.

The first flight unit is scheduled to fly on the Shilling demonstration in late 2026. The payload will carry RAFTI HP, xenon and instrumentation to assess the interface's performance in orbit.

Jacob Geer, Orbit Fab managing director in Europe, said the qualification means operators using electric propulsion or self-pressurising chemical systems can now incorporate a refuelling interface during spacecraft manufacture.

The company said RAFTI HP is available to order.