Starfish Space, founded seven years ago by former Blue Origin engineers Trevor Bennett and Austin Link, is preparing to launch its first Otter spacecraft this fall. The vehicle, which weighs approximately 350 kg and is the size of a large washing machine, will fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter mission next month.
The mission, designated SSPICY and funded by NASA with $15 million, serves as a demonstration of small spacecraft propulsion and inspection capabilities. The Otter will approach defunct US-owned satellites within hundreds of meters to collect data on their condition and spin rates, marking NASA’s first funded commercial debris inspection mission.
The company has raised $150 million to date and employs 120 people. While the initial Otter missions will not include refueling, the company plans to utilize water-based propellant for future operations. Starfish Space focuses on software and maneuvering technologies, procuring its spacecraft bus from Astro Digital.
Starfish Space has conducted previous demonstrations, including the 2023 Otter Pup 1 mission, which experienced technical failures, and the 2025 Otter Pup 2, which is currently performing proximity operations. The company also successfully tested its autonomous rendezvous software on the Mira spacecraft in partnership with Impulse Space.
Following the upcoming NASA mission, Starfish Space intends to continue development, with five additional Otter spacecraft currently in production. These future units are designed to demonstrate advanced capabilities, including docking, de-orbiting, and life extension services for orbital assets.
