NASA Awards Starfish Space Contract for Satellite Inspection Mission

NASA is pushing forward with a groundbreaking SSPICY mission to enable commercial inspections of non-operational satellites in low Earth orbit. It’s a critical step towards satellite maintenance or removal. The agency has awarded a $15 million, three-year contract to Starfish Space, a Seattle-based company, as part of its Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

This mission, known as the Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability (SSPICY), aims to inspect defunct satellites, assessing their condition for either repair or deorbiting. This move is essential in maintaining a safe orbital environment, as space debris poses significant risks to both spacecraft and human missions. Orbital debris mitigation is a core component of NASA’s Space Sustainability Strategy.

A New Approach to Satellite Servicing

The SSPICY mission, led by Starfish Space, will involve their Otter spacecraft. Otter is a small satellite, roughly the size of an oven, designed for inspecting, docking with, and servicing or deorbiting other satellites. Its electric propulsion system allows it to travel efficiently to multiple satellites, making it a vital tool for rendezvous and proximity operations in space.

Bo Naasz, a senior technical lead at NASA, emphasized the importance of such missions, stating that in-space inspections are crucial for identifying issues that can leave satellites stranded. These inspections will also help improve NASA’s understanding of satellite collisions and fragmentations, key factors in sustaining a safe space environment.

The Role of Otter

During the SSPICY mission, the Otter spacecraft will visit several non-operational U.S. satellites, collecting valuable data about their current conditions. This includes information about the satellites’ spin rate, spin axes, and surface materials, all of which are essential for determining whether they can be repaired or deorbited.

The SSPICY mission is the first NASA-funded commercial space debris inspection, with the aim of extending satellite life while reducing the amount of space debris. As space debris continues to be a growing concern, the ability to service or safely dispose of defunct satellites is becoming increasingly important.

Long-Term Impact

The information gathered during these satellite inspections will provide critical insights for future satellite reuse or disposal efforts. Understanding defunct satellites’ state and potential for repair or removal is key to ensuring that space remains a safe and sustainable environment for future exploration and satellite operations.

Starfish Space co-founder Trevor Bennett expressed excitement over this collaboration with NASA, describing the mission as a major step forward for satellite servicing. The Otter spacecraft is expected to launch in late 2026, with its first inspections scheduled to begin in 2027.