China Advances In-Orbit Satellite Servicing Technology

A Chinese commercial satellite has successfully completed a series of in-orbit tests of a flexible robotic arm, designed to support future on-orbit servicing operations. This achievement represents a step forward for autonomous spacecraft maintenance technology.

Yuxing-3 06 Satellite Mission Details

The Yuxing‑3 06 satellite, also known as the Xiyuan‑0 satellite, was launched on March 16, 2026, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Kuaizhou‑11 Y7 rocket. It was then inserted into its designated orbit. This mission marks the first on-orbit operation test for a flexible robotic arm developed by Suzhou Sanyuan Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. and its partners.

Robotic Arm Development

The satellite’s primary payload, a flexible continuum robotic arm, was jointly developed by Sanyuan Aerospace and Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School. Shenzhen Mofang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. provided the satellite platform.

Four Key Test Modes

During its mission, engineers tested the robotic arm through multiple challenging tasks to verify key technologies for future on-orbit refueling and servicing. These tests included:

  • Programmed simulated refueling
  • Remote operated simulated refueling
  • Visual servo simulation docking
  • Force‑compliant manipulation

Test Mode Breakdown

The first test mode, programmable simulation refueling, saw the robotic arm autonomously plan and execute its motion path, moving to and from a docking configuration without ground intervention. This verified the reliability and accuracy of onboard autonomous planning.

In remote operated simulated refueling, ground operators guided the arm in real time using a hand controller and first-person view camera feedback, demonstrating human-in-the-loop control.

The visual servo simulation docking mode utilized a visual servo system, with ground systems identifying the arm’s end effector pose using camera imagery to plan motion and generate control commands. This verified vision-based control.

Finally, force-compliant drawing tested force feedback and compliant control, with the arm autonomously guiding a docking plug to draw shapes on a drawing board, verifying end-effector force control accuracy.

Innovative Arm Design

The flexible arm design incorporates a “flexible continuum hollow arm + rear‑mounted drive cable transmission,” offering lightweight, high flexibility, and high reliability. It is also compatible with compliant fuel pipelines for safer refueling operations.

Sanyuan Aerospace highlighted that the cable drive simplifies thermal control and radiation protection, while also reducing research and development costs. The modular design is also suitable for small payload satellites.

Space-Ground Collaboration

The mission benefited from space‑ground collaborative control capabilities, supported by a global ground station network. This network provided continuous link establishment with the sun-synchronous orbit, offering up to 20 minutes of telemetry and control per pass with minimal delay.

“The satellite has successfully completed all on‑orbit operations of its flexible robotic arm, marking a solid step forward for China’s commercial aerospace industry in the field of on‑orbit space services,” stated the company. This mission represents significant progress for commercial spacecraft servicing technologies.