Rendering of Orion’s Tetra-5 Spacecraft. Photo: Orion Space Solutions

Orion Space Solutions recently completed a critical design review (CDR) on the Tetra-5 program for the U.S. Space Force, which will demonstrate autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations and docking (RPOD) for on-orbit refueling. 

Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded Orion the contract in 2022, along with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The contract is worth up to $44.5 million. The CDR was completed within 13 months of the award announcement, Orion announced Jan. 2. 

The constellation of three prototype spacecraft will have at least a two-year mission life at Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO). Orion and its team will demonstrate docking capabilities for on-orbit refueling and autonomous collaboration techniques for inspection. This mission will mature and develop technologies for a potential first Space Force demonstration of on-orbit fluid transfer refueling.

Orion is working with subcontractors Hera Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, SCOUT Space, Sedaro, Utah State University, and ICR. 

“Having completed a successful CDR, Orion Space Solutions and our extended team look forward to our ongoing close teamwork with the government to begin production work on the Tetra-5 vehicles and sensors,” said William Armijo, Orion’s vice president of Space Systems.

Orion Space Solutions was recently acquired by Arcfield, a government technology and mission support provider.