New Chinese Spacecraft Tests Robotic Octopus Tentacle for Refueling in Orbit

China launched the Yuxing 3-06 (Hukeda-2) on March 16 to test a robotic refueling arm in low Earth orbit.

CCTV reported the satellite completed compliance control and refueling demonstrations using a tentacle-like arm.

The robotic arm inserted a nozzled tip into a dummy fuel port while orbiting at about 16,800 mph.

The system uses spring-laden tubes and motorized cables and is intended as a step toward a commercial refueling platform.