India (Commonwealth Union)_ India has taken a significant step forward in space technology with an ambitious experiment that could change the way satellites operate. At the heart of this effort is AyulSAT, a pioneering mission that aims to demonstrate in-orbit satellite refuelling for the first time by an Indian company. If successful, it would place India among a select group of nations capable of carrying out one of the most complex operations in modern spaceflight. The mission is being led by Chennai-based startup OrbitAid Aerospace, founded by two engineers whose partnership began in a research laboratory and has now grown into a venture that could reshape the country’s space economy. AyulSAT, a specially designed tanker satellite, was launched aboard India’s trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The satellite will test a homegrown docking and fuel transfer system in orbit.
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Behind this milestone are Indian engineers Sakthikumar Ramachandran, 35, and Nikhil Balasubramanian, 30. Their journey exemplifies both personal determination and years of technical preparation. Sakthikumar was raised at Vadakkalur village in Tamil Nadu‘s Perambalur district. Coming from a middle-class household, he had an early interest in science, viewing it as a means of understanding the world around him. Inspired by the successes of the Indian Space Research Organisation, he was drawn to the idea of addressing unresolved issues in India’s expanding space program. He pursued aeronautical engineering at VSB College in Karur before completing a postgraduate degree in space engineering and rocketry from the Birla Institute of Technology. In 2011, he joined the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) as a researcher in satellite propulsion, where he focused on the fuels that power spacecraft and the systems that keep them operating in orbit.
It was at IISc that he met Nikhil. Nikhil comes from an upper-middle-class family with roots in Kerala. In 2014, Nikhil arrived as an intern while pursuing mechanical engineering at Coimbatore Institute of Technology. The two shared a room during the internship, and long discussions about space technology turned into a shared vision. Sakthikumar often spoke about the limitations of satellites once they ran out of fuel, even when most of their systems were still functioning perfectly. Nikhil was drawn to the challenge. After completing his undergraduate studies, he went on to pursue advanced degrees in aerospace engineering from Technion in Israel and the Technical University of Munich.
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Despite coming from different backgrounds, the two remained connected by their shared goal. During their research years, they worked on characterizing satellite propellants and contributed to projects for ISRO, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and private satellite firms. Through this work, they closely studied how satellites consume fuel and what ultimately limits their lifespan. The answer was clear: most satellites retire not because their electronics fail, but because they run out of propellant. That realization led to the birth of OrbitAid.
AyulSAT represents the first practical step toward solving that problem. The initial mission will focus on transferring fuel between tanks within the same satellite, a critical proof of concept. The system will also demonstrate power and data transfer using OrbitAid’s Standard Interface for Docking and Refuelling Port. Validating this internal transfer is essential before attempting satellite-to-satellite refuelling. If the demonstration succeeds, OrbitAid plans to launch a second spacecraft later this year. This “chaser” satellite will dock with AyulSAT and attempt an actual refuelling operation in orbit. By 2026, AyulSAT is expected to serve as the target for a full rendezvous and docking mission.
The implications extend beyond a single test. In-orbit refuelling allows satellites to operate far longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements. That means fewer launches, lower costs, and less space debris, a growing concern as Earth’s orbit becomes increasingly crowded. Globally, only China has publicly indicated it has conducted a similar experiment, though few technical details have been released. If OrbitAid’s mission achieves its objectives, India would firmly establish itself among the leaders in this emerging field.
For Sakthikumar and Nikhil, the mission represents years of preparation. From university laboratories to launch pads, their collaboration has matured into a project that could support what experts call an “on-orbit economy,” where satellites are serviced, upgraded, and refuelled rather than abandoned. As private participation in India’s space sector accelerates, AyulSAT could signal a turning point. What began as late-night conversations in a research hostel room may soon redefine how India sustains its presence in space.
