We talked to OrbitAID Founder CEO Sakthikumar R, here's what we learned:
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An Indian space startup OrbitAID Aerospace is gearing up to demonstrate in orbit satellite refueling for the first time! 🔥
ISRO's upcoming PSLV-C62 mission will carry their AayulSAT spacecraft, which will demonstrate internal propellant, data and power transfer! ⛽️
Render of AayulSAT
Next year, they plan to launch their second mission which will involve actual satellite-to-satellite docking and propellant transfer!
So far, no private company has ever demonstrated satellite-to-satellite propellant transfer.
This will lay the groundwork for their future plans to develop orbital fuel stations and Mission Extension Vehicles (MEVs)!
Artist rendering of OrbitAID's MEV servicing a customer satellite
At the center of all of this is their proprietary Standard Interface for Docking & Refueling Port (SIDRP) docking port which will be used to mount the tanker spacecraft to the target satellite and perform propellant transfer.
With their AayulSAT mission on PSLV-C62, if everything goes smoothly, SIDRP will achieve TRL-9 level of technological readiness!
The SIDRP docking interface
Although OrbitAID identifies as a mission company and not a subsystems company, they have already received multiple orders from several European customers for their SIDRP interface.
(Mr. Sakthikumar to ISRO Spaceflight)
