CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - Dawn Aerospace in Christchurch, New Zealand, announced a new docking and fluid transfer (DFT) port for its SatDrive propulsion systems, aiming to enable in-space refueling for its customers.
The DFT port will replace the standard manual fill/drain valves used for propellant loading on the ground with a passive interface, facilitating refueling in space and adding 1.3 pounds (0.6 kg). It supports two pressurized propellants, nitrous oxide and propene or ethane, along with power and data connections. Starting in 2025, it will be standard for all SatDrive customers with propulsion systems above 10 kNs.
The DFT port incorporates Dawn’s existing flight-proven components, such as the valving used in the B20 thruster. Over 200 of these valves are already in space. Several SatDrive customers are expected to use the DFT port, with the first launch scheduled for 2025.
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“With low mass, low risk, and zero cost, we believe it’s getting close to a ‘no brainer’ decision for any Dawn customer who sees value in refueling,” said CEO Stefan Powell. “This allows customers to make the leap of faith, even though there are no established refueling services yet.”
Nitrous-based propulsion systems are considered ideal for in-space refueling because they do not require pumps for propellant transfer and have no life-limiting catalysts. Nitrous thrusters, which are spark-ignited, can theoretically allow for near-infinite restarts and propellant throughput, enabling systems to be refueled and reused almost indefinitely.
Dawn provides nitrous-based satellite propulsion to over 20 customers worldwide. The company produces about one satellite propulsion system per week, and while not all will use the DFT, a significant fraction could lead to potentially hundreds of refuelable satellites in orbit by the 2030s, Powell said.
“Dawn was the first to bring nitrous propulsion to the world. It’s now the fastest-growing hydrazine alternative. We are excited to now be the first to offer refuelable propulsion systems as standard,” Powell added.
