The U.S. Space Force is actively pursuing the operationalization of on-orbit satellite servicing, refueling, and maneuver capabilities, marking a strategic shift from experimental demonstrations to integrated space logistics. The service has outlined plans for two significant on-orbit demonstrations slated for 2027, with a stated ambition to transition these cutting-edge technologies into routine operations promptly. These efforts are part of a broader push to enhance the resilience, longevity, and versatility of U.S. space assets, while closely observing parallel governmental and commercial initiatives in this nascent field.
Both forthcoming demonstrations are scheduled to launch as part of the Space Force’s USSF-23 mission, projected for early next year. One of the primary focuses is on refueling, a capability critical for extending the operational lifespan of satellites. For this endeavor, the Space Force is collaborating with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The demonstration will involve Astroscale’s Provisioner spacecraft, a commercial servicing vehicle, docking with and refueling a satellite. Following this, the Provisioner will refuel itself from a prepositioned fuel depot provided by Orbit Fab, before returning to the original spacecraft for a second refueling cycle. The satellite designated for this mission is AFRL’s Tetra 5, specifically developed for the demonstration, with DIU overseeing the tanker component through Orbit Fab.
The second key demonstration within the USSF-23 mission is centered on maneuver capabilities, specifically the ability to reposition a spacecraft within its existing orbit. For this task, Starfish Space’s Otter vehicle will function as a space tug. The Otter is designed to mate with a non-operational Space Force satellite, demonstrating its capacity to move the satellite to a different, likely disposal, location. This capability is vital for managing space debris and optimizing orbital real estate.
These demonstrations are designed to provide crucial data and insights for the Space Force’s evolving roadmap for on-orbit servicing and refueling. They aim to address fundamental questions regarding the technical feasibility and economic affordability of these capabilities, as well as to quantify the operational impact of extending satellite life. Ultimately, the lessons learned will contribute to the formulation of a comprehensive, long-term plan for developing an robust in-space logistics architecture. However, according to Col. Scott Carstetter, director of Space Systems Command’s (SSC) servicing, mobility, and logistics (SML) office, these missions also hold significant near-term implications.
Speaking to reporters on May 20, Colonel Carstetter expressed his intention to leverage these experimental satellites for operational purposes once their initial demonstration activities are concluded. “We’re looking to operationalize these demonstrations that we’re doing to see how we can actually use them operationally with programs and operational clients that we have in need today,” he stated, indicating that his office possesses the necessary funding to transition these efforts into procurement phases. He further noted that SSC’s contract with Starfish Space explicitly includes provisions for servicing operational satellites. “The first vehicle that we’ll mate with is a non-operational vehicle that we’re going to move to a disposable orbit,” Carstetter explained. “And once we demonstrate that capability, then we can mate with operational satellites to conduct things like life extension and those sorts of things.”
The SML office, established in 2023, serves as a centralized entity dedicated to exploring the utility of on-orbit servicing and refueling. However, it is not the sole organization engaged in advancing this technology. Later this summer, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and SpaceLogistics, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, are slated to launch their own robotic servicing spacecraft, the Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV), to geosynchronous orbit. The MRV is expected to take approximately a year to reach its operational orbit, utilizing an electric propulsion system. Upon arrival, the vehicle will employ robotic arms—developed by DARPA and the Naval Research Laboratory—to install jetpack-like propulsion modules, known as Mission Extension Pods (MEPs), onto three satellites experiencing low fuel levels. These MEPs, manufactured by SpaceLogistics, provide alternate propulsion sources.
Northrop Grumman hosted reporters at its Sterling, Va., facility on May 19 to provide a preview of the MRV before its shipment to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., in the coming months. After completing its contracted pod installations, the MRV, designed for an on-orbit operational life of at least 10 years, will be available for a range of additional satellite servicing tasks. These could include repositioning spacecraft, performing repairs, or upgrading existing satellites with new sensors or capabilities. Rob Hauge, president of SpaceLogistics, confirmed that the company has engaged in discussions with various potential government and commercial clients regarding future operational missions for the MRV once it is on orbit. “We’re spending a lot of time right now educating the government as well as industry on the capabilities of the MRV, so that they can start planning and thinking about what that capability could do for them,” Hauge said.
Colonel Carstetter confirmed that his office is closely monitoring the initial operations of the MRV and other upcoming demonstrations, whether government-led or commercially driven. The Space Force is actively seeking opportunities to integrate these capabilities into its contracting mechanisms. “We’ll be looking to set up some level of contracting that we’ll be able to access those resources while they’re on orbit if the need arises from our operational community,” he explained.
For its fiscal year 2027 budget request, the Space Force did not allocate specific funding for the servicing, mobility, and logistics office. Currently, the SML office is relying on prior-year funding to support its planned demonstrations and other ongoing initiatives. Carstetter anticipates that this funding approach will evolve in the coming years as the service solidifies its plans for operationalizing these capabilities. He noted that at least some of the necessary resources are likely to be embedded within the budgets of the specific programs that intend to utilize the servicing capabilities, rather than being consolidated within his office’s direct funding line.
As an illustration, Carstetter highlighted the Space Force’s RG-XX program, which in April selected an initial group of vendors to potentially develop a fleet of small reconnaissance satellites in geosynchronous orbit. This program is notable as the first within the Space Force to mandate that its satellites be refuelable. The RG-XX program is still refining its acquisition strategy for refueling, deliberating between pursuing a dedicated refueling vehicle or contracting for a servicing solution. Regardless of the chosen approach, the associated funding would likely be incorporated into the RG-XX program’s own budget, rather than appearing under the SML office’s line. Over time, as the Space Force develops a more comprehensive, long-term strategy for servicing, mobility, and logistics, Carstetter indicated that there may be a necessity to increase his team’s direct funding to support that overarching enterprise. “The time when you’ll see the SML budget plus-up is longer-term, once we have an enterprise solution where we’re building, ideally, an architecture and a logistics enterprise that feeds the entire space domain,” he concluded.
Why This Matters
The Space Force’s deliberate push to operationalize on-orbit servicing, refueling, and maneuver capabilities represents a pivotal evolution in how nations manage and leverage their assets in space. This initiative carries profound implications across national security, economic development, and global space sustainability.
From a **national security** perspective, these capabilities are transformative. Current satellites, once launched, operate with finite fuel reserves, limiting their ability to dodge threats, adjust orbits, or extend missions. The ability to refuel and reposition satellites on demand introduces unprecedented resilience and flexibility. In an increasingly contested space domain, maneuverable satellites can evade anti-satellite weapons, improve surveillance coverage, or sustain presence in critical orbits, thereby bolstering the Space Force’s strategic advantage and ensuring continuity of vital services like communication, navigation, and intelligence. This capability also reduces the vulnerability of expensive, high-value assets by extending their operational life and allowing for in-situ repairs or upgrades, rather than requiring costly and time-consuming replacements.
Economically, operationalizing space logistics could lead to significant **cost savings and new commercial opportunities**. Extending the lifespan of existing satellites through refueling or repair defers the need for new, expensive launches, optimizing capital expenditure. This creates a burgeoning commercial market for space servicing, attracting private investment and fostering innovation in robotic operations, propulsion systems, and orbital mechanics. Companies like Astroscale, Orbit Fab, and Starfish Space are at the forefront of this emerging sector, potentially creating new jobs and driving technological advancements that could benefit other space endeavors, including deep-space exploration and resource utilization.
Furthermore, these initiatives are crucial for **space sustainability**. The ability to actively maneuver defunct satellites to disposal orbits, as demonstrated by Starfish Space’s Otter vehicle, directly addresses the growing problem of space debris. By preventing dead satellites from becoming unmanaged hazards, the Space Force and its commercial partners contribute to maintaining a safer and more accessible orbital environment for all space users. On-orbit servicing also enables the repair or upgrade of satellites rather than their replacement, reducing the overall volume of new launches and subsequent orbital debris creation.
Finally, these advancements are fundamental to **future space exploration and expanded capabilities**. A robust in-space logistics architecture, including refueling depots and servicing vehicles, will be essential for supporting more ambitious missions further into the solar system. It can enable the deployment of modular spacecraft, allow for mission extensions that were previously impossible, and facilitate the construction and maintenance of larger orbital infrastructures, such as space stations or future lunar gateways. As other nations, particularly China and Russia, advance their own space capabilities, the U.S. Space Force’s commitment to operationalizing these services underscores its intent to maintain leadership in a strategically vital domain and shape the future of space operations for decades to come.