SSC21-S1-12 Development and Launch of the World’s First Orbital Propellant Tanker James Bultitude, Zach Burkhardt, Maya Harris, Mark Jelderda, Srinivasan A Suresh, Logan Fettes, Daniel Faber, Jeremy Schiel, James Cho, David Levitt Orbit Fab, Inc 274 Shotwell St, San Francisco, CA; +1 (310) 415-9886
[email protected] Devin Kees Nimble Aerospace 835 Rose Ave, Pleasanton, CA Sergio Gallucci SCOUT Inc 5904 Mount Eagle Drive #102, Alexandria VA 22303 ABSTRACT This paper describes the development of Orbit Fab’s Tanker-001 Tenzing mission, the world’s first orbital propellant tanker. The development of a robust orbital propellant supply chain is critical to accelerating the growth of government and commercial space activities. The widespread availability of spacecraft refueling has the potential to provide a number of revolutionary benefits. High-value space assets could have their operational lives extended, as they would no longer be constrained by the amount of propellant stored onboard for maneuvering. On-orbit servicing missions would become more efficient, as servicing vehicles could be refueled and repeatedly used. A large orbital propellant supply would also enable new mission and business models based on operational flexibility and frequent maneuvering. These benefits would be particularly impactful on small satellites, where the ability to refuel could overcome the operational constraints of having smaller propellant tanks. This will greatly expand the market for small spacecraft as it increases their range of missions and capabilities. Launching no earlier than June 24, 2021, Tenzing is a 35 kg small satellite with an Astro Digital bus carrying a supply of storable propellant, high test peroxide (HTP).