Spaceium Opens OpenPort Refueling Hardware License to Anyone for $1

At a glance

Spaceium is letting any company build and license its OpenPort refueling hardware for $1. The company plans to earn its money by selling fuel to spacecraft instead.

Key points

1. 1

   Satellites that run out of fuel in orbit reach the end of their useful life, but refueling can extend it.

2. 2

   OpenPort passes fuel in both directions, so one part handles both pumping and receiving fuel.

3. 3

   The port replaces the one used to fuel spacecraft on the ground, so no new part is added to the spacecraft.

4. 4

   Spaceium plans to send OpenPort to the ISS in the first half of 2027 for a demonstration.

Why it matters

If satellites can be refueled and reused in orbit, the lifespan of each satellite and the cost structure of the space industry could change.