Ibadan, 1 September 2025. – Astroscale Japan has officially named and announced its upcoming satellite refueling demonstration spacecraft “REFLEX-J” – short for Refueling for Extension and Flexibility – Japan. The name reflects the mission’s purpose: enhancing the flexibility of satellites in orbit by extending their lifespan and unlocking new operational possibilities.
As part of Japan’s Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration Program, led by the Cabinet Office and promoted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, Astroscale Japan won this major contract in January to develop and demonstrate satellite refueling technology in space.
Building on Astroscale’s proven Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD) technologies, REFLEX-J will subsequently integrate robotics, computer vision, and fuel transfer capabilities to perform a chemical refueling demonstration in low Earth orbit.
Furthermore, the team will conduct ground testing across multiple propellants to ensure scalability for missions to geostationary orbit and compatibility with electric propulsion systems. The project will consequently span five years with a maximum budget of JPY 10.8 billion (USD 73 million), culminating in an in-orbit demonstration around 2029.
“This latest project underscores Astroscale’s commitment to advancing a circular economy in space through on-orbit servicing, guided by the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refuel and Remove,” explained Eddie Kato, Managing Director of Astroscale Japan. “Among these, refueling plays a pivotal role in extending satellite lifetimes, reducing the need for new launches, and unlocking greater mission flexibility by overcoming fuel constraints.”
With REFLEX-J, Astroscale aims to establish a new standard for space infrastructure. As a result, by demonstrating reliable refueling in orbit, on-orbit servicing company is taking a significant step toward making long-term orbital sustainability a reality.
