India's PSLV-C62 to Test Key Space Tech: On-Orbit Refuelling via Ayulsat

OrbitAid's Ayulsat Aims to Validate In-Space Refuelling, a Global Milestone

India is poised to achieve a significant breakthrough in space technology with an upcoming private satellite mission designed to demonstrate in-orbit fuel transfer. A successful validation under real space conditions would position India as only the second nation in the world to accomplish on-orbit satellite refuelling, marking a leap in advanced space servicing capabilities.

PSLV-C62 Mission and Ayulsat Launch
The pivotal experiment centers on the launch of OrbitAid’s 25-kilogram Ayulsat satellite, scheduled to fly aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV-C62 mission from Sriharikota. This launch is a key part of India's strategic push to develop technologies for enhanced satellite longevity and space sustainability, underscoring the collaborative growth of the private sector alongside the national space agency.

Why On-Orbit Refuelling Matters
On-orbit refuelling is a transformative technology with the potential to dramatically extend satellite operational life, mitigate space debris by keeping existing assets functional, and reduce long-term mission costs. To date, only China has announced a successful demonstration of this capability, with limited public technical data. Other major space powers, including the United States, have yet to formally showcase a proven in-orbit refuelling test.

OrbitAid’s Incremental Technology Approach
OrbitAid’s initial demonstration adopts a phased approach. Instead of a complex rendezvous between two spacecraft, the first test will focus on internal fuel transfer within the single Ayulsat satellite. The spacecraft is engineered as a target platform to critically study propellant behavior in microgravity. The company indicates the refuelling experiment is planned within four hours of launch, providing vital real-time data on fluid dynamics in the space environment.

Strategic Implications for India’s Space Sector
A successful demonstration by Ayulsat would bolster India's standing in the global commercial space services market and highlight the synergistic role of private space startups. It aligns with national objectives in satellite servicing, active debris removal, and fostering leadership in the new space economy, representing a crucial evolutionary step for the country's space ecosystem.

Exam-Focused Points:

• On-orbit refuelling  can  extend satellite lifespan  and reduce space debris.

• The experiment will fly on  ISRO's PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)  from  Sriharikota .

• China  is the only country to have claimed a prior successful test of this technology.

• A successful test would make India the  second country  to demonstrate this capability.

• The  private startup OrbitAid  is conducting the experiment with its  Ayulsat  satellite.