The U.S. Space Force is collaborating with the commercial space industry to develop in-orbit satellite refueling and servicing capabilities. This strategic shift aims to enable a new generation of military satellites capable of sustained and dynamic maneuvers, moving beyond the limitations of current spacecraft with finite fuel supplies.
This initiative, centered on a concept called "sustained space maneuver," is critical for future military operations in space. Officials state that the ability to refuel satellites in orbit will provide a significant tactical advantage, allowing spacecraft to respond to threats, reposition quickly, and operate with greater flexibility throughout their lifespan.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Space Force is working with commercial firms to establish in-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities.
- The primary goal is to achieve "sustained space maneuver," allowing military satellites to move frequently and unpredictably.
- A future surveillance satellite constellation, known as RG-XX, has a mandatory requirement for in-orbit refueling.
- The Space Force plans to purchase refueling as a commercial service, with private companies owning and operating the necessary infrastructure.
A New Era of Military Space Operations
The U.S. military's approach to space is evolving. Traditionally, satellites were placed in fixed orbits with limited fuel for minor adjustments. The modern space environment, however, requires more agile assets that can react to potential threats.
Military leaders are increasingly using terms like "dynamic space operations" to describe this new paradigm. This refers to the ability of satellites to perform continuous or frequent maneuvers, making them less predictable and harder for adversaries to track or target.
"When we start to talk about dynamic space operations, the ears of our U.S. Space Command and U.S. Space Force members perk up," said Monty Greer, an outreach coordinator for the COSMIC consortium at the Aerospace Corp., during a recent industry conference.
COSMIC, which stands for Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities, is a national group that brings together government, academic, and industry experts to advance these new technologies.
Beyond Simple Life Extension
While refueling can extend a satellite's operational life, military officials emphasize that the strategic goal is much broader. The focus is on enabling survivability and creating tactical challenges for potential adversaries.
"Sustained space maneuver is much more than life extension," Greer explained, noting that it operates within a military warfighting context. Satellites with this capability could evade threats, reposition to new areas of interest, or perform deceptive maneuvers.
What is ISAM?
In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) refers to a range of capabilities that allow for work to be done on spacecraft while they are in orbit. This includes:
- Servicing: Repairing or upgrading existing satellites.
- Refueling: Replenishing a satellite's propellant.
- Assembly: Constructing larger structures in space that would be too big to launch from Earth.
- Manufacturing: Creating parts or components in orbit.
Defining the Military's Needs
The Space Force is actively working to translate the broad concept of maneuverability into specific technical requirements that the commercial industry can meet. This involves detailed analysis of what kind of movements provide the greatest military advantage.
Space Force Maj. Gen. Dennis Bythewood, special assistant to the chief of space operations, confirmed that studies are underway. "We’ve kicked off some concept work that will flow over the course of next year, that looks at what are the military advantages of movement and maneuver," he said.
The analysis aims to move beyond general ideas to specific architectural choices. According to Bythewood, the key questions are: "What types of movement and maneuver within our domain drive the most military advantage, and what are the architectural choices that we’d have to put in place in order for them to be viable?"
Building on Commercial Success
The commercial foundation for these services is already being laid. Northrop Grumman’s subsidiary, SpaceLogistics, has successfully performed in-space servicing missions for commercial satellites. The company is developing a new servicing vehicle scheduled for deployment in 2026. "There’s an opportunity for the government to build on that capability," said Rob Hauge, president of SpaceLogistics.
The RG-XX Constellation: A Key Test Case
A concrete example of this new strategy is the planned replacement for the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) constellation. These current "neighborhood watch" satellites are limited by their onboard fuel, which restricts their ability to maneuver and respond to suspicious objects.
The successor program, known as RG-XX, has a fundamentally different design philosophy. Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, the Space Force’s top acquisition official, has mandated that these new satellites must be refuelable in orbit.
"[The RG-XX program] absolutely has a refueling requirement," Purdy stated firmly at the Air Space & Cyber conference. "I mandated that, and was very militant about that, to be blunt."
A Commercial Service Model
The Space Force does not intend to build and operate its own fleet of refueling tankers. Instead, the plan is to buy these services from commercial providers. This approach is expected to accelerate development and leverage private sector innovation.
Purdy outlined a potential model where satellite manufacturers might be asked to provide a refueling solution for their spacecraft. "I might ask them to bring their own refueler," he said. "The refueler could absolutely be contractor owned, contractor operated, and I’ll buy refueling as a service."
This model aligns with the Space Force's broader strategy to utilize commercial services, treating in-orbit logistics similarly to how the military procures other services from private industry. Refueling in orbit is seen as a far more efficient and timely solution than the multi-year process of securing funding for and launching replacement satellites when they run out of fuel.