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WASHINGTON — Space infrastructure company Redwire has secured a contract to provide an additional satellite platform for a U.S. Space Force orbital refueling experiment.
The satellite order, announced Feb. 11, is for a third Mako satellite bus for the Space Force’s Tetra-6 in-orbit refueling experiment scheduled for 2027. The prime contractor for the experiment, Arcfield, had previously ordered two Mako platforms for the Tetra-5 experiment, scheduled for 2025.
The Tetra-5 and Tetra-6 missions represent key tests of in-space refueling capabilities, a sector of the market closely being watched by military and commercial stakeholders as they seek to extend satellite lifespans.
The Tetra-5 experiment originally had three spacecraft. According to Arcfield, “the customer repurposed the third spacecraft on Tetra-5 and moved it to support the Tetra-6 mission.”
The Space Force said fuel delivery satellites from Orbit Fab or Northrop Grumman will attempt rendezvous, docking, and propellant transfer operations with the Arcfield-built satellites approximately 22,236 miles above Earth in geostationary orbit. The Mako platforms will be equipped with specialized sensors for proximity operations and compatible docking interfaces developed by either Orbit Fab or Northrop Grumman.
Redwire gained a foothold in the program through its 2024 acquisition of Hera Systems, a small satellite manufacturer with military applications. The Mako spacecraft will be among the first satellites in geosynchronous orbit to demonstrate compatibility with in-space refueling technologies.
Orion Space Solutions, prior to its acquisition by Arcfield, secured a $44.5 million contract in 2022 for the refueling experiments. Following the initial contract, Hera Systems was selected as the spacecraft supplier. Arcfield was subsequently awarded an extension in November 2024 to support the Tetra-6 mission.
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