In-Orbit Refuelling (IOR) Architectural Initiative
What Is This Project
The IOR Architectural Initiative is an eight-week systems engineering project created to deliver a structured architectural decomposition of an In-Orbit Refueling (IOR) system.
Phase I applies a disciplined systems engineering process to define mission context, capture requirements, and develop a coherent system architecture.
The initiative is vendor-neutral.
Phase II, if pursued, will be defined after completion of Phase I.
Why This IOR Project
The objective of this IOR project is to deliver a structured architectural decomposition of an IOR system.
IOR spans launch integration, spacecraft design, propulsion, telemetry, GNSS, proximity operations, and trajectory analysis. Each discipline carries its own assumptions and constraints, yet IOR performance depends on the coherence between them.
This initiative treats IOR as a structured systems engineering challenge in order to:
- Decompose the IOR problem into architectural layers
- Identify coupling points across disciplines
- Examine interface assumptions
- Explore trade-offs between architectural models
- Surface realistic operational constraints
By explicitly treating IOR as a system-of-systems problem, the effort aims to increase clarity around architectural boundaries, integration risks, and scalability assumptions.
Objective of the Initiative
The objective is to produce complete artifacts from a disciplined systems engineering process applied to IOR.
The artifacts include:
- Mission context and operational analysis
- Requirements structuring
- CONOPS, scenarios, and use cases
- Functional decomposition
- Logical architecture
- Physical architecture (where domain expertise supports realistic assumptions)
- System analysis and architectural decomposition
- Functional allocation and interface definition
- Traceability across system layers
The result is a structured architecture grounded in realistic operational constraints.
How the Project Is Structured
The initiative is led by ReliqAI.
A core team conducts the architectural development, supported by systems engineering practitioners with experience in launch systems, propulsion, GNSS, communications, proximity operations, and trajectory analysis.
Contributors provide structured technical feedback. The baseline architecture is maintained as a formal working model to enable disciplined review and controlled refinement.
Project documentation is published for review. The authoritative baseline is maintained in Confluence and Jira.
What This Initiative Intends to Produce
Phase I produces a complete Logical Architecture of an in-orbit refueling system, structured across operational and system analysis layers. Selected elements of a Physical Architecture are explored where domain expertise supports realistic assumptions.
The project follows an ARCADIA-based systems engineering approach using Capella to ensure structured decomposition, traceability, and consistency across operational and system layers.
Role of ReliqAI
ReliqAI serves as the systems architecture lead, methodological authority, and project coordinator.
Architectural coherence allows propulsion specialists, GNSS experts, telemetry engineers, trajectory analysts, and autonomy developers to align around shared system objectives.
Future Directions and Collaborative Development
In-orbit refueling remains an evolving domain. Architectural models, interface assumptions, autonomy strategies, and logistics concepts will continue to mature as orbital activity increases.
A core objective of this initiative is to provide a structured technical foundation for discussion and collaboration.
This framework allows contributors and vendors to evaluate how propulsion modules, docking interfaces, GNSS solutions, telemetry systems, or autonomy technologies integrate within a coherent IOR architecture.
The intent is to reduce ambiguity and increase realism in how orbital refueling systems are reasoned about and developed.
As space activity grows across LEO, MEO, and GEO, disciplined architectural collaboration will be essential for scalability, interoperability, and operational safety.
Want to Participate or Have Questions?
To participate:
- Review the Terms and Conditions
- Review the project pages
- Send your interest with contribution type (Author or Feedback) and relevant space experience
Relevant experience may include RPOD, ISAM, payload systems, GNC, or launch systems.
Contact: ior.project@reliqai.com
A user ID and password will be issued to enable commenting and participation.
You can learn more about In-Orbit Refueling (IOR) here.