/Companies

Orbit Fab

Techstars '19

Santa Clara, US · Founded 2018 · Delaware corporation · 104 employees on LinkedIn · 31 known investors

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Orbit Fab builds the in-space propellant supply chain, offering commercial spacecraft refueling services and standardized refueling interfaces to enable reusable spacecraft and a sustainable space economy. The company serves commercial space operators, government space agencies, and satellite manufacturers globally.

Also known as Orbit Fab

Founders & leadership

Orbit Fab was founded in 2018 by Daniel Faber and Jeremy Schiel.

DFDaniel Faber
Daniel FaberCo-FounderPreviously, he served as CEO of Deep Space Industries, an aerospace company focused on space resources, and holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson and degrees in engineering from the University of New South Wales.
JSJeremy Schiel
Jeremy SchielCo-Founder, Chief Development Officer2018–2023Jeremy Schiel is Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Orbit Fab, which provides in-space propellant refueling services and standardized refueling interfaces. His background spans space technology, deep technology development, and securing government and commercial contracts in emerging industries.30 Under 30 2023
PSPeter Shaper
Peter ShaperCEO
CY
Chingti YangNamed on SEC filing

Investors · 31

Techstarslisted by TechstarsBoulder · $220K

How we know: the Techstars portfolio · open dataset · Top 3000 Accelerator Startups (no YC) 2026-08 · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us

1435 CapitalreportedSkillman

How we know: a partner's Signal profile · Not right? Tell us

8090 IndustriesreportedNew York

How we know: a partner's Signal profile · spacenews.com · Not right? Tell us

ChainFund CapitalreportedSilicon Valley

How we know: a partner's Signal profile · Not right? Tell us

SpaceFundreportedHouston

How we know: a partner's Signal profile · techcrunch.com · the VCSheet dataset · Not right? Tell us

Also in the syndicate · 3

Audacious Venture PartnersMassive Capital PartnersNorthrop Grumman Corporation

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

$21.1M disclosed across 2 of 5 rounds · 2020–2026

▶$1.1MraisedJun 2020 · 12 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Jeremy SchielExecutive Officer, Director
  • Daniel FaberExecutive Officer, Director
  • Chingti YangExecutive Officer
Offering amount
$3M
Amount sold
$1.1M
First sale
May 2020
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2018
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.

Company profile

researched Aug 2026

Orbit Fab provides commercial spacecraft refueling, marketed as "Gas Stations in Space." The company operates fuel shuttles intended to deliver propellant directly to spacecraft equipped with its RAFTI refueling interface, with the stated ability to serve any orbit and any spacecraft through cooperative docking.

Alongside the fuel delivery service, Orbit Fab supplies the RAFTI hardware that makes a customer spacecraft refuelable, and UMPIRE, mission-planning software that optimizes refueling logistics against a customer's mission goals. The company states that it builds flight-proven hardware and is creating the first commercial spacecraft refueling service.

Business model

Orbit Fab combines hardware sales/integration (the RAFTI refueling interface fitted to customer spacecraft) with a delivered-propellant service, plus mission planning software (UMPIRE) that supports the refueling offering.

Propellant is sold as a priced delivered service: the company lists hydrazine delivery in geostationary orbit at $20 million for 100 kg, available in 2025.

Traction

The company cites five U.S. and international government programs and more than 100 commercial spacecraft. Named engagements include a DIU RAPIDS contract to refuel U.S. Space Force satellites in 2025, equipping ClearSpace debris removal satellites with refueling capability under the UK Space Agency active debris removal program, and an agreement described as the first commercial in-space fuel sale, to refuel Astroscale's LEXI servicers with up to 1,000 kg of xenon in geostationary orbit.

▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography

Market position

Orbit Fab positions itself as the creator of the first commercial spacecraft refueling service and claims the first commercial in-space fuel sale.

Technology

The offering centers on the RAFTI refueling interface, which enables cooperative docking and propellant transfer; fuel shuttles that carry propellant to customer spacecraft in a range of orbits; and UMPIRE mission planning software for refueling logistics optimization. Propellants referenced include hydrazine and xenon.

Go-to-market

Direct sales of refueling services and RAFTI interface integration to spacecraft operators and manufacturers, supported by government contracts and partnerships with satellite servicing and debris removal companies; the site invites prospective customers to contact the company for service details.

Commercial spacecraft operators and satellite manufacturers, and government space programs, including the U.S. Space Force, the UK Space Agency's active debris removal program, and satellite servicing companies such as Astroscale and ClearSpace.

Geography

Serves U.S. and international government programs, including work tied to the U.S. Space Force and the UK Space Agency.

Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.

Key figures

latest reported
Commercial spacecraftJan 2025100 spacecraft
Government programs supportedJan 20255 programs
List price, hydrazine delivery in GEO (100 kg)Jan 2025$20M

Company-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.

Related companies · 8

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Loft OrbitalLoft Orbital operates space infrastructure, providing satellites equipped with sensing resources, onboard edge compute, and connectivity that let customers run missions without deploying their own hardware. It serves commercial and government customers, including national security stakeholders, through virtual missions on its satellite constellation.
D-OrbitD-Orbit provides space logistics infrastructure and transportation services including satellite launch deployment, on-orbit servicing, refueling, and end-of-mission disposal using its proprietary ION Satellite Carrier orbital transfer vehicle. The company serves satellite operators and space service providers in the commercial space industry.
AiaaAIAA is a professional society for the global aerospace industry, providing members with technical publications, conferences, networking events, and industry advocacy. The organization serves scientists, engineers, educators, and managers across the aerospace and space sectors.
EsaThe European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe's intergovernmental organization for space, carrying out missions and research across space science, technology, and applications. It supports the competitiveness of the European space industry through procurement, commercial opportunities, and collaboration with its Member States.
AirandspaceforcesAir & Space Forces Magazine is the monthly publication of the Air & Space Forces Association covering defense, aerospace, and airpower topics for military and civilian professionals. The organization publishes a daily email newsletter, an annual almanac, and authoritative analysis on U.S. and allied air and space strategy.
Orbit CsOrbit Communication Systems develops ground, airborne, and maritime communications, satellite tracking, and ground-station technology for commercial operators, air forces, navies, space agencies, and New Space companies. A subsidiary of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, it operates across Europe, the Far East, and North America.
WideOrbitWideOrbit provides a platform for buying, selling, and managing digital and linear advertising campaigns across broadcast and media channels. The company serves media companies and broadcasters with unified solutions for campaign management, automation, and payment processing.

Companies working in the same space as Orbit Fab.

Non-dilutive funding · 11 SBIR/STTR awards

Federal grants — no equity taken
AgencyPhaseYearAmount
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase II2023$1.7M
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase II2022$12.7M
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase II2021$1.6M
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase II2021$749.9K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase II2021$747.4K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase I2021$50K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase II2020$3M
National Science FoundationPhase I2020$222.7K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase I2020$50K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase I2019$50K
NASAPhase I2018$124.9K

Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.

Timeline · 4

launches, deals, and filings
Jan 2025
DIU RAPIDS contract to refuel U.S. Space Force satellites

Under a Defense Innovation Unit RAPIDS contract, Orbit Fab states it will be the first company to deliver fuel to U.S. Space Force satellites in 2025.

source ↗

Jan 2025
First commercial in-space fuel sale to Astroscale

Orbit Fab will refuel Astroscale's LEXI servicers with up to 1,000 kg of xenon in geostationary orbit, described as the first commercial in-space fuel sale.

source ↗

Jan 2025
Support for UK Space Agency active debris removal program

Orbit Fab will equip ClearSpace's debris removal satellites with refueling capabilities under the UK Space Agency active debris removal program.

source ↗

Jan 2025
Hydrazine refueling service in GEO

Orbit Fab states it will offer hydrazine refueling services in geostationary orbit starting in 2025, with 100 kg available for purchase at $20 million.

$20M source ↗

Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.

Legal entities · 1

corporate structure
Orbit FabDelaware

▸Research sources · 1

primary sources listed

1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.

Frequently asked questions

What does Orbit Fab do?
Orbit Fab sells in-space refueling services and RAFTI refueling interfaces for commercial and government spacecraft.
Who founded Orbit Fab?
Orbit Fab was founded by Daniel Faber, Jeremy Schiel in 2018.
Who are Orbit Fab's investors?
Orbit Fab's investors include 2045 Ventures, ACADEMY INVESTOR, AIN Ventures, Asymmetry Ventures, Aurum Venture Partners, Capital Factory, Evolution VC Partners, Gaingels and 20 more.
How much funding has Orbit Fab raised?
Orbit Fab has disclosed $21.1M raised across 2 of its 5 known rounds.
Where is Orbit Fab headquartered?
Orbit Fab is headquartered in Santa Clara, US.