NASA has launched a new spacecraft named Otter as part of the Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability (SSPICY) mission, aiming to demonstrate technologies that could facilitate future in-space repairs and mitigate orbital debris. Launched on October 1, 2026, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, Otter will approach up to four inoperable space objects in low Earth orbit to conduct inspections.
Starting in early 2027, Otter will use advanced autonomous guidance and control software, relying on computer vision and sensors to navigate and gather crucial data about the target objects’ spin rates, orientation, and surface conditions. It will employ an electric propulsion system for travel between objects and a robotic boom for precise maneuvering.
This mission marks the first time these technologies are tested together as an integrated system, paving the way for future autonomous servicing missions or safe disposal of space debris by pulling them into Earth’s atmosphere. As the number of satellites and rocket bodies in orbit increases, addressing the challenge of orbital debris becomes increasingly crucial. The Otter spacecraft, developed by Starfish Space, represents an important step in ensuring the safety of space operations, supported by funding from NASA’s Small Spacecraft and Distributed Systems program and the Small Business Innovation Research program.
