Sriharikota/New Delhi, January 11, 2026, 08:15 p.m. IST
India is set to become the world’s fourth nation to demonstrate in-orbit refuelling satellite as OrbitAid Aerospace launches AayulSAT aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62 on January 12, 2026.
India is poised to achieve a major milestone in space technology as OrbitAid Aerospace, a Chennai-based space startup, prepares to launch its pioneering AayulSAT mission. Scheduled for liftoff on January 12, 2026, the satellite will be deployed aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 10:17 AM IST.
With this mission, India is set to join an elite group of spacefaring nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, that have demonstrated in-orbit satellite refuelling capabilities. The achievement marks a critical step toward extending satellite lifespans and building a sustainable space economy.
AayulSAT Mission: Technology and Objectives
AyulSAT is a 25-kilogram technology demonstration satellite designed to validate internal fuel transfer in microgravity, a foundational requirement for future spacecraft-to-spacecraft refueling missions. The satellite will test OrbitAid’s proprietary Standard Interface for Docking and Refuelling Port (SIDRP), a modular system intended to become a universal refueling interface for satellites.
According to OrbitAid founder Sakthikumar Ramachandran, the mission represents the first phase of a broader roadmap. Once initial fuel-transfer tests are completed, AyulSAT will serve as a target satellite for a planned “chaser” mission in late 2026. That mission will demonstrate Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD) in low Earth orbit.
Proud to unveil the official mission patch for AayulSAT 🚀
— OrbitAID Aerospace (@OrbitAID) January 8, 2026
Launching aboard PSLV-C62, AayulSAT marks India’s first orbital refuelling mission. @KRSakthikumar @isro @unicornindia@TheStartupTN @Guidance_TN @CMOTamilnadu @NSIL_India @iiscbangalore @NikhilBala42709 pic.twitter.com/ktzCT3fIoL
Building on ISRO’s SPADeX Docking Success
The AyulSAT mission builds directly on ISRO’s SPADeX (Space Docking Experiment) success achieved in January 2025, when India demonstrated multiple dock-undock cycles and power transfer operations in orbit. SPADeX laid the groundwork for advanced on-orbit servicing, refueling, and assembly capabilities.
By leveraging these national achievements, OrbitAid’s mission represents a growing synergy between India’s public space agency and private space startups, accelerating innovation while reducing dependence on foreign technologies.
Advancing Orbital Sustainability and Space Safety
In-orbit refueling plays a vital role in addressing one of the biggest challenges facing modern spaceflight: space debris. Fuel depletion remains one of the leading reasons satellites are abandoned in orbit, contributing to congestion and collision risks.
AayulSAT directly supports India’s Debris-Free Space Mission 2030, spearheaded by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath. By enabling satellites to refuel and extend their operational lives, the technology could significantly reduce the number of defunct spacecraft left drifting in orbit.
OrbitAid has stated that its long-term vision is to create an “on-orbit economy” encompassing satellite servicing, refueling, repair, and life-extension services. Such capabilities are expected to benefit Earth observation satellites, communication constellations, navigation systems, and future human spaceflight missions.
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OrbitAid Aerospace: Startup Roots and Global Partnerships
OrbitAid Aerospace was founded by Sakthikumar Ramachandran and Nikhil Balasubramanian, alumni of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The startup secured seed funding in 2026 from Unicorn India Ventures, along with institutional support from the Tamil Nadu government.
The company has signed memorandums of understanding with six companies across India and Germany, indicating strong international interest in its refueling technology. Globally, the sector is gaining momentum, with U.S.-based Orbit Fab currently leading private in-space refueling efforts through government-backed contracts.
India’s Entry Reshapes the Global Space Landscape
In-orbit refueling has the potential to redefine satellite mission planning, allowing operators to decouple spacecraft design from strict fuel limitations. This capability can reduce launch mass, lower costs, and enable complex orbital maneuvers and deep-space exploration missions.
As AayulSAT enters its planned 600–800 km sun-synchronous orbit, the mission stands as a landmark moment not only for India’s space ambitions but also for a Tamil Nadu-based startup stepping into global leadership in sustainable space technologies.
