By 
March 26th, 2026
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
A Chinese aerospace startup has demonstrated in space a flexible robotic arm to advance orbital refueling technology.
The test was done onboard a Yuxing 3-06 satellite, lofted on March 16 via a Kuaizhou-11 Y7 rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
Key enabler
The company, Sustain Space, views orbital refueling as a key enabler for extending a spacecraft’s lifespan. The arm was developed by a team led by Tsinghua University’s Shenzhen International Graduate School.
According to China Central Television (CCTV), the test paves the way for Yuxing 3-06 – labeled a “space refueling station,” to replenish other satellites in orbit, manage space debris, and provide other in-orbit services.
In-orbit simulations
Sustain Space announced this week that the spacecraft completed a series of in-orbit simulations using its flexible manipulator. Those operations included an autonomous programmed refueling simulation, a ground-controlled refueling simulation and a vision-guided servo refueling simulation.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Reportedly, a representative from Sustain Space told KhabarAsia that a next phase would involve actual propellant transfer between cooperative spacecraft.
Space debris removal
Based in Taicang, China, Sustain Space was founded in 2022. Its activities are focused on space debris removal, as well as on-orbit spacecraft refueling, life extension, and in-orbit repair and manufacturing.
The state-run Xinhua news service made note that China had previously conducted similar experiments. In January 2025, the country launched a test satellite, Shijian-25, primarily for verifying satellite fuel replenishment and life extension service technologies.
Go to video of the arm at:
Posted in Space News
