India’s Giant Leap: OrbitAID Aerospace and the Dawn of On-Orbit Refuelling
Pioneering sustainable space operations for a future in orbit.
The increasing number of satellites, inactive spacecraft, and debris in Earth’s orbit necessitates sustainable space operations. Satellites’ finite lifespan, often limited by propellant, leads to costly replacements and contributes to space debris. OrbitAID Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based spacetech startup, is pioneering on-orbit refuelling in India to address these challenges.
Historic Launch: AayulSAT Mission
On January 12, 2026, at 10:17 AM IST, OrbitAID Aerospace’s AayulSAT payload will launch from Sriharikota’s First Launch Pad aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62 rocket. This marks India’s inaugural commercial on-orbit refuelling mission, designed as a technology demonstrator to extend satellite lifespans, redefine space economics, and promote a sustainable orbital ecosystem. AayulSAT, named from the Tamil word for “Life,” is a 25 kg mini-tanker.
The Urgent Need for Space Sustainability and On-Orbit Servicing (OOS)
Historically, satellites have a fixed propellant supply, dictating their operational lifetime. Depleted fuel renders even functional satellites as space junk, posing collision risks to active satellites and human spaceflight. Replacing defunct satellites incurs significant design, construction, launch, and insurance costs.
On-orbit servicing (OOS), including inspection, repair, upgrade, and refuelling, offers an environmentally responsible and economically viable solution. Extending satellite lifespans through refuelling reduces replacement needs, lowers operational expenses, and mitigates space debris. This shifts the paradigm from a “single-use” to a “reuse” philosophy for orbital assets.
OrbitAID Aerospace: Pioneering Sustainable Space Operations in India
OrbitAID Aerospace is a key innovator in on-orbit servicing in India, focused on developing reliable in-space refuelling and servicing technologies to foster a circular economy in orbit.
The AayulSAT mission will demonstrate three critical capabilities: internal propellant transfer, power transfer, and data transfer. Its success will qualify OrbitAID’s patented Standard Interface for Docking and Refuelling Port (SIDRP) at Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL-9), making it India’s first commercial docking and refuelling interface deployed in space. This achievement will position India as a leader in advanced spacetech and provide a solution to global space industry challenges.
A Historic Launch: PSLV-C62 Carries AayulSAT into Orbit
The PSLV-C62 mission will deploy EOS-N1 (Anvesha) and 18 other payloads, with AayulSAT playing a crucial demonstrative role in advancing on-orbit refuelling India. The PSLV, ISRO’s reliable workhorse, underscores the confidence in OrbitAID’s technology and the mission’s significance for India’s space program. AayulSAT will perform intricate docking and transfer operations in orbit, showcasing India’s capabilities in advanced space robotics and autonomous systems.
The Technology Behind On-Orbit Refuelling India: SIDRP
OrbitAID Aerospace’s proprietary Satellite Interface for Docking and Refuelling Protocol (SIDRP) is designed for universal compatibility, enabling propellant, power, and data transfer with both Indian and international satellites. This standardized interface is crucial for a collaborative “on-orbit economy.” SIDRP addresses challenges in precise alignment, secure docking, and reliable fluid transfer in microgravity, prioritizing robustness and safety. Achieving TRL-9 certification will signify SIDRP as flight-proven and ready for commercial deployment.
Proving Ground: Zero-G Flights and SPADeX Advance On-Orbit Refuelling India
OrbitAID Aerospace conducted rigorous testing, including two series of Zero-G flights (ZeroG-1 in November 2024 and Zero-G-2 in May 2025). These flights validated docking and fluid transfer mechanisms in simulated microgravity, qualifying SIDRP for flight-like operations and developing advanced pose-estimation techniques. ISRO’s successful SPADeX mission in early 2025 validated in-space docking capabilities, serving as a precursor to OrbitAID’s refuelling initiative. This synergy between government research and private innovation accelerates technological advancement in on-orbit refuelling India.
The Broader Vision: Unlocking an “On-Orbit Economy” for India’s Space Future
Sakthikumar Ramachandran, Founder and CEO of OrbitAID Aerospace, envisions AayulSAT as a foundational step towards a thriving “on-orbit economy.” This future involves routine servicing, repair, and upgrading of space assets, leading to modular satellites, reduced constellation operating costs, rapid technological upgrades, and new space industries. This economy would make space activities more affordable, sustainable, and resilient, increasing the return on investment for space missions and stimulating further innovation.
Global Collaborations: Expanding India’s Reach in Space Servicing
- Indo-Australian Space MAITRI Grant: OrbitAID will deploy its SIDRP system on an international joint mission in 2026 with Australia’s Space Machines Company.
- ispace Partnership: In October 2025, OrbitAID and ispace signed an MoU to develop sustainable lunar infrastructure, integrating SIDRP into future ispace lunar landers, demonstrating versatility beyond Earth orbit.
India’s Growing R&D Prowess in Private SpaceTech
OrbitAID Aerospace’s success highlights India’s burgeoning private space sector and its R&D capabilities. The company established India’s largest private R&D facility for on-orbit servicing and refuelling in Bengaluru, inaugurated in September 2025. This facility fosters innovation and attracts talent, signifying India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in advanced space technologies and the maturation of its space ecosystem.
Overcoming the Complex Challenges of In-Space Servicing
Implementing on-orbit refuelling faces significant technical hurdles:
- Harsh Space Environment: Extreme temperature fluctuations, radiation, and microgravity demand exceptional engineering.
- Rendezvous and Docking: Precise, often autonomous, maneuvers are incredibly complex.
- Fluid Transfer: Transferring cryogenic or hypergolic propellants in microgravity requires novel pump designs and robust sealing to prevent leakage and contamination.
- Long-Term Reliability: Systems must withstand the space environment for extended periods.
OrbitAID Aerospace’s rigorous testing, including Zero-G flights and ground simulations, addresses these challenges, aiming for operationally robust and safe solutions.
Conclusion: Ushering in a Sustainable Space Era for India
The AayulSAT mission by OrbitAID Aerospace signifies India’s commitment to a sustainable and innovative space future. By pioneering on-orbit refuelling India, the mission aims to extend satellite life, reduce space debris, and unlock an “on-orbit economy.” The success of AayulSAT will be a triumph for OrbitAID and a significant milestone for India, solidifying its position as a frontrunner in advanced space technologies and a responsible steward of the orbital environment. This mission heralds an era of adaptable, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable space assets, ensuring space remains an accessible resource for future generations.
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