Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI) is a standard interface developed by
Orbit Fab
Orbit Fab is an American startup based in Lafayette, Colorado, United States, that develops in-space refueling systems for satellites.
History
Orbit Fab was founded by CEO Daniel Faber and CDO Jeremy Schiel in 2018 to extend the lifetime of ...
for transferring fluids, e.g., propellants, in space.
It has been defined by a group of 30 companies.
The interface specification has high and low pressure variants, both for operation between -40 °C and 120 °C.
[RAFTI summary]
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* Low pressure : for MMH, UDMH, Water, H2O2, Methanol, Kerosene, Green Monoprops, isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol (IUPAC name propan-2-ol and also called isopropanol or 2-propanol) is a colorless, flammable organic compound with a pungent alcoholic odor. As an isopropyl group linked to a hydroxyl group (chemical formula ) it is the simple ...
, HFE, N2O. (fluids)
* High pressure : for Nitrogen, Helium, Xenon, Krypton. (gases)
History - timeline
2020: A first implementation is planned to be tested in space in 2021 as part of a prototype fuel depot
An oil terminal (also called a tank farm, tankfarm, oil installation or oil depot) is an industrial facility for the storage of oil, petroleum and petrochemical products, and from which these Petroleum product, products are transported to end u ...
.[''Orbit Fab to Launch Orbital Fuel Depot Next Year'']
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A free flying orbital demo was launched in June 2021 to test transfers of high-test peroxide.[''There's Now a Gas Station… In Space!'' Sept 2021]
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In 2024, Orbit Fab announced production ramp up and prices, and that three SpaceForce Tetra 5 satellites would be launched in 2025 with RAFTI interfaces for a refuelling demo in geostationary orbit
A geostationary orbit, also referred to as a geosynchronous equatorial orbit''Geostationary orbit'' and ''Geosynchronous (equatorial) orbit'' are used somewhat interchangeably in sources. (GEO), is a circular geosynchronous orbit in altitud ...
.[''Orbit Fab reveals price tag for its satellite refueling ports'' March 2024]
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See also
* Robotic Refueling Mission NASA tests on the ISS (including cryogenic)
References
{{Spacecraft-stub
Rocket propellants