ispace and Orbit Fab Join Forces for Outer Space Refuelling

ispace, the lunar transportation specialist, has announced a partnership with Orbit Fab, the "Gas Stations in Space" service provider. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of new refuelling systems for spacecraft, with the aim of supporting future lunar exploration missions.

Under the agreement, ispace and Orbit Fab will work together to create innovative methods for using fuel in outer space. This includes utilizing resources such as water, ice, lunar regolith, and other mineral resources found on the lunar surface. The ultimate goal is to significantly reduce dependence on Earth for fuel supplies.

In addition to resource utilization, the partnership will also involve projects related to lunar resource mapping and In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) missions. These initiatives will further enhance the efficiency of space travel and transportation by leveraging the available resources in space.

Looking ahead, the companies have plans to refuel ispace's lander using Orbit Fab's refuelling capabilities during its journey through space. This will enable long-term experiments in cislunar space and improve the efficiency of transporting payloads and satellites.

Orbit Fab is already making progress in the field of refuelling systems. The company is currently installing its refuelling port, Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI), for various governmental and commercial customers. In the future, Orbit Fab aims to provide fuel for spacecraft, including satellites and lunar landers.

Earlier this month, Orbit Fab received funding from the UK government's Enabling Technologies Programme (ETP) for the development of its in-orbit refuelling interface. This funding will support the company's efforts to advance space technologies and contribute to the growth of the UK space industry.

ispace, headquartered in Japan, is leading the development of Mission 2, scheduled to launch in the winter of 2024. Its US subsidiary is also working on Mission 3, set to launch in 2026 using the Series 2 lander. In December 2022, ispace successfully launched its Series 1 lunar lander, the HAKUTO-R M1, with the goal of establishing a unified ecosystem between Earth and the Moon.

"Creating a supply chain that utilizes space resources on the moon and in orbit is in line with ispace's vision of 'Expand our planet. Expand our future'," said Takefumi Hakamada, CEO and founder of ispace, upon signing the MoU. "This partnership with Orbit Fab is an essential step towards achieving that goal. By working together, we can make significant progress in long-term lunar surface development and the creation of a cislunar economic zone."

Daniel Faber, founder and CEO of Orbit Fab, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, "The signing of this memorandum with ispace will greatly contribute to the realization of a sustainable and vibrant lunar economy. Our focus is on extending the operational life of critical missions by resupplying and making satellites and other spacecraft reusable for years in space."

The collaboration between ispace and Orbit Fab holds great promise for the future of space exploration and resource utilization. By developing advanced refuelling systems and leveraging available resources, the companies aim to pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous lunar economy.

Image: iSpace. Pictured above are ispace CEO and founder, Takefumi Hakamada, and Orbit Fab founder and CEO, Daniel Faber.

See also: ispace goes public to boost lunar transportation services