Starfish Space has completed its first full-scale Otter satellite servicing vehicle, transitioning from technology demonstrations to operational service. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch on the SpaceX Transporter-18 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base no earlier than October 2026.
The mission, designated as NASA’s Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability (SSPICY), is supported by a $15 million Phase III Small Business Innovation Research award issued in 2024. The Otter vehicle will perform close-approach inspections of defunct U.S. satellites in low Earth orbit, with data collection on spin rates and surface conditions expected to begin in 2027.
The Otter servicer features the CETACEAN computer-vision navigation, CEPHALOPOD autonomous guidance, and the Nautilus capture device, which allows attachment to unprepared flat surfaces. This design addresses the lack of dedicated docking fixtures on most existing satellites. The company previously tested pathfinder missions, including Otter Pup 1 in 2023 and Otter Pup 2 in 2025.
Starfish Space has secured multiple commercial and government contracts, including agreements with Intelsat for geostationary life extension, Space Systems Command, and the Space Development Agency. Following the NASA inspection mission, the company plans to deploy additional Otter vehicles to fulfill these operational commitments.
