---
type: source
title: "Chinese startup Sustain Space tests flexible robotic arm in space for on-orbit servicing"
author: "SpaceNews Staff (spacenews.com)"
url: https://spacenews.com/chinese-startup-tests-flexible-robotic-arm-in-space-for-on-orbit-servicing/
date: 2026-04-01
domain: space-development
secondary_domains: [robotics]
format: article
status: unprocessed
priority: medium
tags: [china, orbital-servicing, robotics, sustain-space, xiyuan-0, kuaizhou-11, on-orbit-assembly]
---

## Content

**Sustain Space** (Chinese commercial startup) successfully demonstrated a flexible robotic arm in orbit via Xiyuan-0 satellite (also designated Yuxing-3). Launched March 16, 2026 on a Kuaizhou-11 rocket. Operations completed by March 25, 2026.

Four operational modes demonstrated:
1. **Autonomous refueling simulation** — pre-programmed operations
2. **Human teleoperation** — remote control by operators
3. **Vision-based servo operations** — camera-guided precision movements
4. **Force-controlled manipulation** — tactile feedback control

Applications: satellite life extension, in-space assembly, debris mitigation.

## Agent Notes
**Why this matters:** This represents China's commercial entry into the orbital servicing sector, which in the US is led by Starfish Space ($100M+ raised) and Northrop Grumman's MEV. China demonstrating all four robotic manipulation modes suggests they are developing the full capability stack for orbital servicing — not just a single-mode demo.

**What surprised me:** The force-controlled manipulation mode is the hardest to demonstrate — it requires real-time tactile feedback from orbit. Succeeding on all four modes in one mission suggests more maturity than a typical first demo. This is further advanced than expected for a Chinese commercial startup's debut.

**What I expected but didn't find:** Specific target satellite or real operational test (vs. technology demonstration). Xiyuan-0 appears to have demonstrated capabilities on its own robotic arm, not interacting with a third-party satellite. The gap from "demonstration" to "operational service" remains large.

**KB connections:**
- Relevant to: orbital servicing as emerging space infrastructure sector
- Cross-domain: robotics domain (manipulation modes, force feedback)
- Relevant to: China as peer competitor (Belief 7 extension — not just launch but infrastructure services)

**Extraction hints:** Claim candidate: "China's commercial orbital servicing sector is developing in parallel to the US (Starfish Space, MEV), with Sustain Space demonstrating all four core robotic manipulation modes in orbit, including force-controlled manipulation — suggesting China is building a full-capability orbital servicing stack rather than a limited demonstration program."

**Context:** The US orbital servicing sector has Starfish Space ($100M+), ClearSpace (ESA, debris), Northrop Grumman MEV (life extension, operational). China is now entering with commercial players alongside its national program. The geopolitical significance: who controls orbit servicing infrastructure controls the lifespan and value of other nations' satellites.

## Curator Notes (structured handoff for extractor)
PRIMARY CONNECTION: Orbital servicing sector development and China-as-peer-competitor claim
WHY ARCHIVED: China demonstrating all four robotic manipulation modes commercially represents a qualitative jump in Chinese orbital servicing capability — comparable milestone to what Starfish Space represents in the US
EXTRACTION HINT: Emphasize the four-mode demo as a capability proxy — force-controlled manipulation is the most technically demanding mode and its success suggests real operational readiness, not just a PR demo
