OrbitAID Aerospace, a Chennai-based Indian space tech start-up, is preparing for a landmark mission scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, PayLoad Space reported.

The company is targeting India’s first end-to-end satellite life-extension and refuelling demonstration in Low Earth Orbit. This mission represents a critical step in advancing indigenous orbital servicing capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign technologies.

The mission will involve two spacecraft, each weighing 70 kilograms. These satellites are named AayulSAT-2A, designated as the chaser, and AayulSAT-2B, designated as the target. Together, they will perform a series of complex operations that validate autonomous servicing technologies in orbit.

The demonstration is designed to showcase inspection, docking, refuelling, and orbit-raising in a single integrated mission.

The inspection phase will see AayulSAT-2A employ advanced onboard sensors to characterise the target satellite. These sensors include optical, infrared, and LiDAR systems, enabling precise imaging and assessment of the target’s condition. This capability is vital for future servicing missions, where accurate situational awareness is required before docking and refuelling operations.

The mission will then progress to Rendezvous and Proximity Operations, followed by autonomous docking. This RPOD sequence is one of the most technically demanding aspects of orbital servicing. OrbitAID has developed proprietary guidance, navigation, and control algorithms to ensure safe approach and capture. The docking system is designed to be compatible with standard satellite interfaces, allowing flexibility in future applications.

Once docking is achieved, the refuelling phase will commence. OrbitAID has engineered a proprietary docking and fluid transfer interface capable of safely transferring propellant in microgravity.

This technology addresses one of the most significant challenges in satellite servicing, ensuring leak-free and controlled fuel transfer between spacecraft. Successful demonstration of this capability will mark a milestone for India’s private space sector.

Following refuelling, AayulSAT-2A will boost the target satellite to a higher orbital altitude. This orbit-raising manoeuvre will validate the ability of servicing spacecraft to extend the operational lifespan of client satellites. By replenishing fuel and repositioning satellites, operators can continue generating revenue while avoiding premature retirement and reducing orbital debris.

OrbitAID Aerospace’s mission is strategically significant. It positions India as a contender in the emerging global market for satellite servicing, which is projected to grow rapidly in the coming decade. The company’s approach complements ISRO’s achievements, such as the SpaDeX docking program, while marking the first private-sector attempt at autonomous refuelling and orbit-raising in Low Earth Orbit.

The broader implications of this mission extend beyond economics. By enabling sustainable satellite operations, OrbitAID contributes to reducing orbital congestion, enhancing mission continuity, and strengthening India’s role in the global space servicing ecosystem.

The demonstration will also serve as a proof of concept for future commercial missions, potentially extending satellite lifespans by several years and offering cost-effective alternatives to replacement launches.

OrbitAID Aerospace’s Q1 2027 mission represents a pivotal moment for India’s private space industry. It combines inspection, docking, refuelling, and orbit-raising into a single integrated demonstration, showcasing the maturity of indigenous technologies.

If successful, it will establish India as a leader in orbital servicing and refuelling, paving the way for commercial operations in the late 2020s.

Agencies