NASA funds Starfish Space's satellite debris inspection mission
The SSPICY mission follows a prior Phase III study that involved four U.S. small businesses, including Starfish Space, in developing potential mission concepts. This mission is a significant component of NASA's broader effort to mitigate orbital debris, a critical part of NASA's Space Sustainability Strategy. Inspecting and servicing defunct spacecraft can reduce the risks posed by space debris and ensure a safer space environment for future missions.
"The SSPICY mission is designed to mature technologies needed for U.S. commercial capabilities for satellite servicing and logistics or disposal," said Bo Naasz, senior technical lead for in-space servicing, manufacturing, and assembly in NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate. "In-space inspection helps us characterize the physical state of a satellite, gather data on what may leave spacecraft stranded, and improve our understanding of fragmentations and collisions, a difficult but critical factor in a sustainable space operating environment."
The SSPICY mission will use Starfish Space's Otter spacecraft, a small satellite roughly the size of an oven. The Otter will travel to defunct satellites, inspect, dock with, and either service or deorbit them using its electric propulsion system. This system allows for efficient travel between satellites and will be a key demonstration of electric propulsion technology during the mission.
During its operations, Otter will visit multiple U.S.-owned defunct satellites, which have agreed to participate in the mission. Otter will approach within hundreds of meters of each satellite to perform detailed inspections. These inspections will gather crucial data such as spin rate, spin axes, and the condition of surface materials.
The SSPICY mission marks the first commercial space debris inspection funded by NASA. This mission aligns with NASA's goal of extending satellite lifespans and reducing the proliferation of space debris. Defunct satellites pose a significant risk as they can collide with other spacecraft, creating dangerous debris clouds that threaten human spaceflight and scientific missions.
"We are excited to expand our partnership with NASA, building on our shared commitment to advancing in-space manufacturing and assembly capabilities," said Trevor Bennett, co-founder of Starfish Space. "It's an honor for Starfish to lead the first commercial debris inspection mission funded by NASA. We look forward to collaborating on this and future satellite servicing missions to enable a new paradigm for humanity in space."
The Otter spacecraft is scheduled to launch in late 2026, with inspections expected to begin in 2027.
NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology program, based at the Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley, will fund and manage the SSPICY mission. The project is supported by NASA's SBIR program, which encourages U.S. small businesses to develop innovative technologies. Both initiatives are part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate.
Read more about NASA's Space Sustainability Strategy here
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