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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [TECHNOLOGY]

2 clusters · 6 sources · 16 days · First seen · Last updated

NASA SSPICY mission for space debris inspection

Overview

Starfish Space prepared for the launch of its first full-sized Otter spacecraft as part of a $15 million NASA contract known as the Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability (SSPICY). The mission, intended to transition the company from prototype testing to operational commercial missions, aimed to demonstrate the vehicle’s ability to approach and inspect defunct or inoperable satellites to collect data on spin rates and surface conditions.

On October 1, the Otter spacecraft launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. As a technology demonstrator, the mission is scheduled to begin primary operations in early 2027. The spacecraft will use autonomous navigation, computer vision, and sensors to approach up to four defunct US-origin objects in low Earth orbit, including abandoned rocket bodies and malfunctioning satellites. To avoid physical contact, the Otter will maintain a distance of several hundred meters from its targets while testing precise maneuvering capabilities and its electric propulsion system.

Entities

Otter · NASA · Vandenberg Space Force Base · Starfish Space · Austin Link

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    NASA launches SSPICY mission to inspect space debris

    NASA's SSPICY mission, featuring the Otter spacecraft, will begin inspecting defunct satellites and rocket debris in 2027 to gather data for future orbital repair and debris removal efforts.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Starfish Space prepares first Otter spacecraft launch for NASA mission

    Starfish Space will launch its first operational Otter spacecraft on a SpaceX mission to perform satellite inspections for NASA, testing technologies for orbital servicing and debris management.

Sources

arstechnica.com · geekwire.com · merca2.es · payloadspace.com · techxeber.az · teknoblog.com