Starfish Space Launches Its First Full-Scale Otter Servicing Vehicle

Starfish Space has reached a major milestone in the development of its in-orbit servicing capabilities with the successful launch of its first full-scale Otter spacecraft aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Otter was one of around 130 payloads launched as part of the Transporter-18 rideshare mission. Shortly after launch, the spacecraft separated from the rocket and powered up for its next phase: demonstrating Starfish Space’s capabilities for satellite inspection and servicing in orbit.

From Prototype to Full-Scale Servicing Vehicle

The launch represents an important step forward following Starfish Space’s previous Otter Pup flight tests. Those missions helped the company progressively demonstrate key technologies for autonomous satellite tracking and rendezvous. The new full-scale Otter vehicle now brings these capabilities together into a platform designed for commercial in-orbit servicing missions. Once fully commissioned, Otter will begin its first operational mission under NASA’s $15 million SSPICY programme (Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability).

Demonstrating Satellite Inspection in Orbit

During the SSPICY mission, Otter will rendezvous with and inspect a series of inoperable satellites.
The mission will demonstrate capabilities that could support a broader range of future space operations, including the inspection of active spacecraft, satellite health assessment, additional docking operations, and the disposal of defunct satellites. For Starfish Space, the objective extends beyond a single demonstration: the mission is an opportunity to prove that commercial satellite servicing can become a repeatable operational capability.

A Growing Pipeline of Servicing Missions

The first full-scale Otter launch comes as Starfish Space prepares for a growing pipeline of missions. The company is already working toward future opportunities including:

• A satellite disposal mission for the U.S. Space Development Agency
• Two commercial satellite servicing missions in geostationary Earth orbit
• Two servicing missions for the U.S. Space Force

Together, these missions demonstrate the growing demand for commercial capabilities to inspect, service, extend the life of, and ultimately dispose of space assets.

A Major Milestone for Starfish Space

With Otter now in orbit, Starfish Space is moving from technology demonstration toward the operational deployment of commercial in-orbit servicing. The mission represents a significant milestone for the company and for the broader development of a more serviceable and sustainable space infrastructure.