Neta Palkovitz, Chief Legal, Policy & Sustainability Officer, General Counsel at Dawn Aerospace
Josh Rodenbaugh, Head of Special Project, Space Systems Engineer
Jeroen Wink, Director
Neta Palkovitz, Dr., Chief Legal, Policy & Sustainability Officer, General Counsel at Dawn Aerospace
Main Author: Dr. Neta Palkovitz
The rapidly growing space economy demands innovative solutions for in-orbit refuelling and servicing to achieve sustainability, resilience, and scale of satellite and spacecraft operations.
Dawn Aerospace’s LOOP network is an in-orbit refuelling solution offering a comprehensive refuelling and servicing experience through a network of servicers and propellant depots, and is intended to support small satellite operators in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to adapt, evolve and extend their missions in space.
This whitepaper explains Dawn Aerospace’s approach to building the transformative LOOP network, and how space infrastructure can be integrated with Dawn Aerospace’s LOOP network through advanced ports for fluid transfer, power, data and mechanical towing. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of the economic and technological benefits that the LOOP network aims to deliver to space operators.
Additionally, it shows how operators can flexibly adapt LOOP to achieve enhanced compliance postures in preparation for the upcoming regulatory requirements such as in the anticipated EU space law.
The LOOP network also aims to deliver reduced satellite replacement costs, extended mission lifespans, and improved sustainability and safety postures for its customers, thereby contributing to long term sustainability objectives.
LOOP is based on Dawn Aerospace’s proprietary green propulsion technology. It builds on nitrous-based propulsion systems that do not require pumps for fuel transfer, to deliver safe, sustainable, and scalable in-space refuelling infrastructure.
The LOOP network offers a paradigm shift in the space economy and is positioned to serve as a critical enabler for broader impact to humanity’s sustained presence and progress in space. We truly believe that it will change space economy and SmallSats operations practices, by leading the eco-system towards a safer and sustainable future in LEO.