Dawn Aerospace’s Docking and Fluid Transfer (DFT) system has completed Environmental Qualification, marking a key milestone in advancing in-orbit refueling. With the DFT-Passive being qualified, Dawn will deliver its first propulsion systems that can be refueled in orbit to its customers in 2025.
The DFT-Passive plays a vital role in satellite propulsion by ensuring robust, leak-proof fueling connections, which are critical for mission success. This hardware is optimized for systems that require highly reliable, safe refueling interfaces, especially relevant for the propulsion needs of modern satellite missions, where both pre-launch and in-space fueling capabilities are increasingly essential.
As part of its qualification, the DFT-Passive port has completed a comprehensive set of pressure and environmental tests, including:
- Proof-Pressure Test
- Life-Cycle Test
- Pressure-Cycling Tests
- Vibration, Quasi-Static, and Shock Tests
- Thermal Vacuum Testing
These tests verify the DFT-Passive’s robustness under the demanding launch and on-orbit operation conditions, positioning it as a dependable interface for satellite fuel transfer.
DFT Ports - Passive and Active Sides
“To make in-orbit refueling a reality, satellites need to be designed to be refuellable,” says Jeroen Wink, CRO at Dawn Aerospace. “By accelerating the qualification of the DFT-Passive, we enable our customers to launch refuellable satellites starting in 2025.”
In addition to enabling refueling, Dawn’s docking port also serves as a dockable hardpoint contact point for active debris removal operations. This way, Dawn contributes to the mitigation of space debris, addressing a significant challenge in maintaining the safety and sustainability of space environments, making this addition critical for constellations operating in Low Earth Orbit. As a signatory of ESA’s zero debris Charter, Dawn is committed to the sustainable development of space.
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