Space. Lockheed, Northrop invest in a startup that wants to refuel satellites in space (Valerie Insinna, Defense News)

An artist’s rendition of Orbit Fab’s space-based fueling station. (Orbit Fab)

Defense industry giants Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are investing in Orbit Fab, a San Francisco-based startup that wants to build gas stations in space that can refuel satellites and prolong their lifespan, the companies announced Monday.

Orbit Fab hopes to build a range of tankers and fuel shuttles in low earth orbit, geosynchronous orbit, and cislunar space that can connect with aging satellites and distribute fuel. If successful, Orbit Fab’s technologies would enable customers to operate satellites for a longer period and defer the cost of having to launch a new vehicle into space.

Lockheed, Northrop invest in a startup that wants to refuel satellites in space (defensenews.com)