NASA and Spacelintech advance orbital inspection and space medicine technologies

NASA is testing new space technologies designed to inspect non-functional satellites and rocket components in orbit. The SSPICY mission, which launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, utilizes Starfish Space’s Otter 24C spacecraft. Starting in early 2027, the spacecraft aims to approach US-origin objects in low Earth orbit within several hundred meters to use cameras and sensors to determine their rotation, orientation, and surface condition. This autonomous navigation test aims to gather data for future satellite repair and space debris removal without direct contact or docking.

In a separate space-based research development, the South Korean company Spacelintech has launched the BEE-PC2 protein crystallization module to the International Space Station (ISS) via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The module is designed to grow protein crystals in microgravity, which can help researchers observe how drug candidates bind to target proteins at an atomic level. This follows the company’s previous BEE-PC1 experiment and aims to validate a commercial service model for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries by utilizing the unique environment of space for precise structural analysis.