Otter On-Orbit Servicing Spacecraft
Starfish Space
Autonomous spacecraft for satellite life extension, orbital disposal, inspection, and logistics using proprietary binocular computer vision navigation and docking technology that works with any flat-surface satellite.
Technical specifications
- Navigation
- Cetacean — binocular computer vision, relative position/velocity/attitude
- Guidance & control
- Cephalopod — autonomous RPOD software with built-in safety features
- Docking
- Nautilus — reusable device, works on any flat satellite surface, no docking adapter required
- Target services
- Life extension, orbital disposal, relocation, inspection, logistics
- Compatibility
- Any satellite — no pre-designed docking interface needed
- Flight heritage
- Otter Pup completed autonomous rendezvous (May 2024)
- Upcoming mission
- GEO life extension contracted for 2026
- USSF contract
- $37.5M US Space Force on-orbit servicing contract (May 2024)
About
Otter is Starfish Space’s commercial on-orbit servicing vehicle, designed to rendezvous, dock, and perform service operations on satellites that were never designed to be serviced. The vehicle uses Starfish’s three core technology systems: Cetacean navigation software (binocular computer vision for relative position, velocity, and attitude), Cephalopod autonomous guidance and control software (for complex RPOD with built-in safety features), and Nautilus docking device (adheres to virtually any flat surface — no pre-installed docking interface required on the client satellite).
Otter’s primary commercial services are satellite life extension (refueling or repositioning to extend operational life of GEO and LEO satellites), controlled orbital disposal (deorbiting end-of-life or defunct satellites to reduce collision risk and free up valuable orbital slots), orbital inspection, orbital relocation, and — looking ahead — in-space assembly and logistics. Otter Pup, a smaller precursor demonstration vehicle, was launched June 2023 and completed a successful autonomous rendezvous with a D-Orbit ION satellite in May 2024. A full-scale Otter life extension mission for a GEO telecommunications satellite is contracted for 2026.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.