Orbit Fab
Colorado-based in-space propellant-logistics company whose RAFTI refueling port was formally designated by U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command as an accepted military-satellite refueling interface.
Orbit Fab is a Lafayette, Colorado-based space-logistics company founded in 2018 by CEO Daniel Faber and co-founder/Chief Development Officer Jeremy Schiel to build an in-space propellant supply chain, letting satellites refuel on orbit instead of being limited to their launch fuel. Its core product, RAFTI (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface), is a standardized robotic refueling port; in August 2024 the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command formally designated RAFTI as an accepted refueling interface for military satellites, the first such interface to reach flight-qualification status. Orbit Fab holds a $13.3M, four-year U.S. Space Force contract (awarded 2022) to deliver hydrazine propellant to at least one Space Force satellite in geostationary orbit starting 2025, is contracted by the Defense Innovation Unit for the first in-space fuel sale in GEO under DIU's RAPIDS depot initiative, and is a subcontractor to Astroscale U.S. supplying refueling hardware for that company's own Space Force Tetra-5 demonstration mission. The company raised a $28.5M Series A in April 2023 led by 8090 Industries with participation from Lockheed Martin Ventures, Stride Capital, Tribe Capital, Industrious Ventures, Good Growth Capital, and Massive Capital Partners, and reports roughly $21M in cumulative defense contracts as of that raise.
Overview
- Headquarters
- Lafayette, CO
- Founded
- 2018
- Employees
- Total funding
- Stage
- Status
- active
- Domains
- Website
- www.orbitfab.com
Founders2
- FounderDaniel FaberFounding CEO of Orbit Fab, the Colorado-based in-space propellant-logistics company; 15+ years of space technology and startup leadership prior to founding Orbit Fab in 2018.
- FounderJeremy SchielCo-founder and Chief Development Officer of Orbit Fab, the in-space satellite refueling company.
Cap table0
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Programs0
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Frequently asked
- What does Orbit Fab do?
- Orbit Fab is a Lafayette, Colorado-based space-logistics company founded in 2018 by CEO Daniel Faber and co-founder/Chief Development Officer Jeremy Schiel to build an in-space propellant supply chain, letting satellites refuel on orbit instead of being limited to their launch fuel. Its core product, RAFTI (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface), is a standardized robotic refueling port; in August 2024 the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command formally designated RAFTI as an accepted refueling interface for military satellites, the first such interface to reach flight-qualification status. Orbit Fab holds a $13.3M, four-year U.S. Space Force contract (awarded 2022) to deliver hydrazine propellant to at least one Space Force satellite in geostationary orbit starting 2025, is contracted by the Defense Innovation Unit for the first in-space fuel sale in GEO under DIU's RAPIDS depot initiative, and is a subcontractor to Astroscale U.S. supplying refueling hardware for that company's own Space Force Tetra-5 demonstration mission. The company raised a $28.5M Series A in April 2023 led by 8090 Industries with participation from Lockheed Martin Ventures, Stride Capital, Tribe Capital, Industrious Ventures, Good Growth Capital, and Massive Capital Partners, and reports roughly $21M in cumulative defense contracts as of that raise.
- Where is Orbit Fab headquartered?
- Orbit Fab is headquartered in Lafayette, CO and was founded in 2018.
Sources & citations6
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
Orbit Fab, founded 2018 by Daniel Faber and Jeremy Schiel, builds an in-space propellant supply chain including the RAFTI standardized refueling port; HQ Lafayette, Colorado
Orbit Fab: About UsVerified2026-08-11 - 2
Orbit Fab won a $13.3 million, four-year U.S. Space Force contract to deliver hydrazine propellant to a Space Force satellite in geostationary orbit starting in 2025
Bloomberg: Colorado Startup Building Gas Stations in Space Gets $13.3 Million US ContractVerified2022-10-11 - 3
U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command System Engineering Review Board designated Orbit Fab's RAFTI as an approved refueling interface for military satellites, the first to achieve flight-qualification status; RAFTI priced at $30,000 per port; DIU has contracted Orbit Fab for the first in-space fuel sale in GEO under its RAPIDS initiative
Orbit Fab: Space Force Approves Orbit Fab's RAFTI as an Accepted Refueling Interface for Military SatellitesVerified2024-08-05 - 4
Orbit Fab is a subcontractor to Astroscale US, providing refueling hardware for Astroscale's Space Force Tetra-5 mission; a small satellite equipped with Orbit Fab's RAFTI fuel port will dock with the DIU-funded depot
Breaking Defense: In a first, Space Force to require refueling capability for next-gen neighborhood watch satsVerified2025-09-01 - 5
Orbit Fab closed a $28.5 million Series A in April 2023 led by 8090 Industries, with Stride Capital, Industrious Ventures, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Tribe Capital, Good Growth Capital, and Massive Capital Partners participating; company reports $21M in cumulative defense contracts
Orbit Fab: Orbit Fab Closes Series A Funding Round of $28.5 MillionVerified2023-04-17 - 6
AIN Ventures' own portfolio page lists Orbit Fab, described as offering 'a supply of satellite propellant to on-orbit assets'
AIN Ventures: PortfolioVerified2026-08-11