# Sustain Space

**Type:** Company  
**Domain:** Space Development  
**Status:** Active  
**Country:** China  
**Focus:** Orbital servicing, robotic manipulation, on-orbit assembly

## Overview

Chinese commercial startup developing orbital servicing capabilities including satellite life extension, in-space assembly, and debris mitigation.

## Technology

**Robotic Manipulation Modes Demonstrated:**
- Autonomous refueling simulation (pre-programmed operations)
- Human teleoperation (remote control)
- Vision-based servo operations (camera-guided precision)
- Force-controlled manipulation (tactile feedback control)

Force-controlled manipulation is the most technically demanding mode, requiring real-time tactile feedback from orbit.

## Timeline

- **2026-03-16** — Launched Xiyuan-0 (Yuxing-3) satellite on Kuaizhou-11 rocket
- **2026-03-25** — Completed orbital demonstration of flexible robotic arm with all four operational modes

## Significance

Represents China's commercial entry into orbital servicing sector, demonstrating full-capability stack comparable to US competitors like Starfish Space ($100M+ raised) and Northrop Grumman's MEV. Success across all four manipulation modes in first mission suggests higher maturity than typical debut demonstrations.

## Applications

- Satellite life extension
- In-space assembly
- Orbital debris mitigation

## Sources

- SpaceNews, April 2026