Some 22,500 miles above the Earth, a spacecraft filled with thruster fuel is getting ready to refuel two U.S. Space Force satellites in orbit — an innovative mission that might transform our activities in space.

Astroscale U.S., a firm focused on orbital servicing, revealed this week that it plans to execute the first-ever in-space refueling of Space Force assets in the summer of 2026. Supported by the Department of Defense, the mission will see Astroscale’s 660-pound spacecraft transferring hydrazine fuel to a satellite, subsequently traveling to a nearby orbital fuel station to replenish before refueling a second satellite. The specific identities of all involved Space Force satellites have not yet been made public.

This represents a significant achievement: the inaugural instance of a Space Force satellite being refueled while in orbit. The ramifications are profound — spacecraft could operate for extended periods without the need to return to Earth or be replaced, effectively turning Astroscale’s spacecraft into a mobile fueling station in space.

“This fundamentally alters our approach to operations in space,” stated Ian Thomas, Refueler Program Manager at Astroscale U.S., during an interview with Mashable.

The mission will occur in geostationary orbit, a zone where satellites revolve in synchronization with Earth’s rotation, enabling them to remain fixed over a particular location on the planet. After launch, Astroscale’s refueler will meet up with its first target, a Space Force satellite known as Tetra-5. It will meticulously dock and transfer fuel, then back away to survey the area with onboard cameras to ensure there are no leaks. The spacecraft will then move to a nearby fuel depot, refill its own tanks, and head to its second refueling target.

“The goal of the mission is to ensure all the different components are functional and effective,” Thomas clarified. “You have a fuel depot, a client, and us.”

While refueling in space is more complicated than filling up a vehicle, it is still relatively quick once the spacecraft is in place. “It takes longer than refueling your car, but it’s something that can be accomplished in a matter of hours,” Thomas remarked.

Most spacecraft, including satellites and NASA’s deep-space probes, depend on solar panels for energy to power their instruments and systems. However, solar energy cannot provide the propulsion required to maneuver, avoid space debris, or maintain orbit. This is where fuel becomes crucial — and why in-space refueling might be a significant advancement.

“If a spacecraft can be refueled, engineers can craft missions that are not constrained by fuel,” Thomas said. For example, the James Webb Space Telescope, which cost $10 billion to create, has a limited fuel supply, capping its mission at around 20 years. Refueling capabilities could greatly extend such missions.

“The paradigm we had no longer applies,” Thomas stressed.

This isn’t Astroscale’s initial venture into orbital operations. In a different mission directed by Astroscale-Japan, the company has already showcased its ability to approach and inspect large fragments of space debris. In 2028, it intends to use a robotic arm to seize and deorbit a 36-foot-long spent rocket stage as a part of its Active Debris Removal initiative.

But before that, Astroscale aims to demonstrate that managing a fuel depot in orbit isn’t merely feasible — it could revolutionize how we oversee and maintain expensive satellites utilized for everything from national security to scientific exploration.

“If you deplete your fuel, you deplete your life,” Thomas stated.