All articles tagged with #orbital refueling
China is preparing for its first on-orbit refueling test involving two satellites, Shijian-21 and Shijian-25, in geostationary orbit, with US surveillance satellites monitoring closely due to concerns over China's space capabilities and strategic ambitions.
China's Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites are maneuvering in geostationary orbit for a rendezvous and docking, likely to demonstrate on-orbit refueling capabilities, amid nearby U.S. surveillance satellites, highlighting advancements in satellite servicing and strategic space activities.
SpaceX is planning an ambitious orbital refueling test between two Starships, scheduled to begin in March 2025. This test is crucial for demonstrating Starship's capability to support NASA's Artemis III mission, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface. The test involves launching two Starships to low Earth orbit, where one will refuel the other, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. This development is part of SpaceX's broader goal to enable large-scale payload transport beyond Earth's orbit and to prepare for future lunar landings.
NASA's Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon, requiring the delivery of large payloads. SpaceX and Blue Origin have been awarded contracts to develop crewed lunar landers, but both face the challenge of launching landers that are too heavy due to the required propellant. To solve this, both companies plan to refuel their landers in space. Blue Origin's plan involves launching additional rockets to rendezvous with the lander and refuel it at the Lunar Gateway. SpaceX's plan involves launching tanker versions of their spacecraft to dock with the lander and transfer propellant. However, the technology for in-orbit propellant transfer is unproven and requires further development. The success of these refueling operations is crucial for the Artemis program's timeline and the return of astronauts to the Moon.
NASA and SpaceX are considering conducting a preliminary propellant transfer test on the next test flight of the Starship spacecraft. This test would demonstrate cryogenic propellant transfer capabilities, which are crucial for future missions to the Moon. NASA aims to develop orbital refueling technology to enable propellant depots in space, allowing rockets to travel to distant destinations beyond Earth orbit. Several companies, including SpaceX, have received funding from NASA to develop cryogenic fluid management technologies. SpaceX is currently the closest to completing the required tasks outlined in its funding agreement and could potentially conduct the propellant transfer test on the next full-scale test flight of the Super Heavy booster and Starship rocket.