Starfish Space’s Otter Craft Set for Launch
Starfish Space, a Tukwila, Washington-based startup, prepares for the launch of its full-sized Otter spacecraft, a vehicle designed for space servicing. Scheduled for launch no earlier than October 1 from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base, the Otter will lift off aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission.
About the Otter Spacecraft
Weighing approximately 660 pounds (300 kilograms), the Otter is similar in size to a kitchen oven (excluding its solar arrays). The spacecraft aims to test technologies that can inspect defective satellites as part of NASA’s Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability (SSPICY) mission, with funding of $15 million.
Austin Link, co-founder of Starfish Space, emphasized the significance of the mission, stating, “This is the moment Otter becomes real.” After separation from the Falcon 9 rocket, Otter will maneuver to observe various satellites, which could include decommissioned spacecraft, allowing them to remain operational during Starfish’s mission.
Future Missions and Commercial Prospects
With potential missions extending beyond the initial SSPICY objectives, the Otter is capable of not just inspecting satellites but also providing servitude for ongoing operations or eventual disposal if they cease to function. The insights gathered will be valuable for future docking missions. Starfish plans to explore satellites ranging from hundreds of kilograms to several tons.
Starfish Space is actively preparing other missions, including satellite disposal for the Pentagon and commercial servicing tasks. The company envisions a fleet of multiple Otter spacecraft, with plans to enhance production speed.
Workforce Expansion and Community Engagement
To support growth, the company has expanded its team from 90 to over 120 employees and hosts celebrations to mark milestones. At a recent event at the Seattle Aquarium, the community celebrated the Otter’s upcoming launch, with the city’s Great Wheel illuminated in the company’s colors.
Starfish is set to make a notable impact on the space ecosystem, representing Seattle’s burgeoning space industry.
