Starfish Space to launch first Otter spacecraft for NASA debris inspection

Starfish Space is set to launch its first full-scale Otter spacecraft this autumn, marking the culmination of seven years of development for the company. The vehicle, which has a mass of approximately 350 kilograms and a bus size comparable to a large washing machine, will fly on a Falcon 9 Transporter mission next month. This launch represents a significant milestone for the firm, which was founded in October 2019 by engineers Trevor Bennett and Austin Link, both of whom previously worked at Blue Origin. The upcoming flight is primarily a demonstration mission for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, designed to test the spacecraft’s ability to inspect defunct satellites in orbit.

The mission, designated SSPICY for Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability, will see the Otter approach multiple older, US-owned spacecraft that are no longer operational. The primary objective is to gather data on spin rates and current conditions by getting within hundreds of metres of these targets. This marks the first instance in which NASA has funded a commercial debris inspection mission, with the agency providing Starfish with a contract worth 15 million dollars. While the initial phase of the mission focuses strictly on inspection, Bennett indicated that there may be opportunities to utilise the remaining operational life of the spacecraft for more complex tasks once the inspection phase is complete.

The establishment of Starfish Space was driven by concerns over the increasing volume of satellites in low-Earth orbit. Bennett and Link observed the ambitions of major players to deploy massive constellations and recognised the need for technologies to manage this growth. They identified two key business cases: extending the life of large satellites in geostationary orbit and managing the growing number of assets in low-Earth orbit. To address these needs, the company developed the Otter vehicle, focusing on precise rendezvous, docking, and long-duration orbital maintenance. The company has maintained a relatively small workforce of about 120 employees and has raised approximately 150 million dollars to date, choosing to procure its spacecraft bus from Astro Digital while concentrating its internal resources on software and manoeuvring technologies.

The path to this launch has included both setbacks and successes in testing the company’s capabilities. The first demonstration mission, Otter Pup 1, launched in 2023 but suffered a failure when its external orbital transfer vehicle ejected the spacecraft prematurely at a high spin rate. Although the Starfish team managed to recover the vehicle over several weeks, one of its thrusters eventually failed. Subsequent efforts have been more successful. Otter Pup 2, which launched in 2025, has been flying in close proximity to a target spacecraft in low-Earth orbit, reaching a distance of one kilometre. A docking manoeuvre is expected to occur in the coming months if conditions permit.

Starfish has also demonstrated its software capabilities in partnership with Impulse Space. Last summer, the company used its closed-loop guidance, navigation, and control software to fly the Mira spacecraft after its primary mission had concluded. This exercise successfully proved that a single lightweight camera system could autonomously rendezvous with another spacecraft. With five additional Otters currently in production for future missions showcasing docking, de-orbiting, and life extension capabilities, the company is preparing for a broader operational role. Bennett described the upcoming launch as a moment of both tension and excitement, reflecting the effort required to bring this new capability to orbit and the support from customers and partners who have helped the company reach this stage.