Space-based gas supply system

A transfer system for supplying a receiving tank of a receiving spacecraft with a supply gas from a supply spacecraft, the system comprising:

• a transfer tank disposed on the supply spacecraft and configured to retain the supply gas;
• a transfer line extending from a first end to a second end, the first end coupled to the transfer tank, wherein the second end is configured to couple in flow communication with the receiving tank;
• a transfer valve operatively coupled to the transfer line;
• a heating system coupled in thermal communication with the transfer tank;
• and
• a control system operatively coupled to the transfer valve and the heating system, wherein the control system is operable to:
• activate the heating system while maintaining the transfer valve closed such that a pressure of a transfer quantity of the supply gas in the transfer tank is increased;
• and
• open the transfer valve, such that a difference between the increased pressure of the supply gas in the transfer tank and a pressure in the receiving tank causes a portion of the transfer quantity of the supply gas to flow through the transfer line to the receiving tank.