Space Force remains skeptical on satellite refueling: ‘Show me the military advantage’

[rangerrebew]

 
Space Force remains skeptical on satellite refueling: ‘Show me the military advantage’
by Sandra Erwin
May 5, 2025
 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military relies on air-to-air refueling to extend the range and endurance of fighter jets. But when it comes to refueling satellites in orbit — a capability touted by commercial space companies — top U.S. Space Force officials remain unconvinced.

“I don’t know that I see the clear military advantage of refueling,” Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, the Space Force’s deputy chief of operations for strategy, plans, programs and requirements, said last week at the State of the Space Industrial Base Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

It’s not the first time Bratton has voiced reservations. His comments echoed similar remarks made more than a year ago at a Washington think tank. And in testimony to Congress, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman has also questioned whether it’s more cost-effective to service satellites in space or simply replace them when they run out of fuel.

The debate reflects uncertainty about whether in-space refueling services offer better value than simply replacing fuel-depleted satellites.

https://spacenews.com/space-force-remains-skeptical-on-satellite-refueling-show-me-the-military-advantage/

[Smokin Joe]

I would think phasing in refuelable satellites and topping off the lot with a 'tanker' might save a bunch in the long run, but replacing systems means that the new ones could incorporate any advancements rather than extend the life of 'legacy' (so last year) systems.

[DefiantMassRINO]

Um, like Voyager I has been out in space since 1977 ... and that was build with 1960s/1970s technology.

Required refueling is a liability in the battlespace.

The Brits were able to sink the Bismark because the Bismark did not top off its fuel tank on its port call in Norway.  The need to refuel allowed the British to anticipate the Bismark's course towards the French Atlantic coast, and sink it.

[Smokin Joe]

Um, like Voyager I has been out in space since 1977 ... and that was build with 1960s/1970s technology.

Required refueling is a liability in the battlespace.

The Brits were able to sink the Bismark because the Bismark did not top off its fuel tank on its port call in Norway.  The need to refuel allowed the British to anticipate the Bismark's course towards the French Atlantic coast, and sink it.

The energy to run the instruments on the satellite isn't the problem. Either you have the stuff to make maneuvering thrusters work, or you don't maneuver. There is only so much on board. Then orbital decay wins.