India Advances Toward On-Orbit Satellite Refuelling Capability

Key facts

• India is moving a step closer to becoming the second country in the world to demonstrate on-orbit satellite refuelling.
• The mission involves OrbitAid's 25-kg Ayulsat lifting off aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) PSLV-C62.
• Ayulsat is designed as a target satellite to validate fuel transfer in the space environment and study how fluids behave in microgravity under real orbital conditions.
• China has previously carried out a similar demonstration, while no other spacefaring nation, including the US, has publicly demonstrated the technology in orbit.
• The first refuelling is expected to take place within four hours of launch.