BEIJING, July 8 (China Space News) —  China has successfully completed the in-space refuel of orbital satellites following last week's launch of a new generation carrier rocket.

Similar to air refueling for planes, the process refuels a satellite in orbit in a microgravity environment and will extend a satellite's functional life and boost its maneuver capabilities considerably.

Tianyuan-1 is the country's first in-space refueling system for orbital satellites. It was launched into orbit aboard the Long March-7 carrier rocket on Saturday.