Starfish Space Shifts Focus to Australian Satellite for Docking Test

TUKWILA, Wash. — Starfish Space’s Otter Pup 2 satellite is preparing for a pivotal orbital docking demonstration, nearly a year after its launch. The Seattle-area startup has redirected its mission to rendezvous with Australia-based Gilmour Space’s ElaraSat satellite, aiming to complete the complex maneuver in the coming months.

The shift comes after previous plans to dock with a D-Orbit ION satellite were put on hold for undisclosed reasons. Both Otter Pup 2 and the newly designated target, ElaraSat, were launched on the same SpaceX satellite rideshare mission in June of last year.

Trevor Bennett, co-founder of Starfish Space, highlighted Gilmour Space's enthusiastic cooperation. He noted the ability to switch targets demonstrates the adaptability and robust design of Otter Pup's core technologies, allowing it to "chase down" and dock with an unprepared spacecraft.

Mark Grimminck, head of satellites at Gilmour Space, expressed excitement about supporting the pioneering mission, emphasizing that autonomous rendezvous and docking capabilities are vital for the future of sustainable space operations. He congratulated Starfish on reaching this significant milestone.

This demonstration is a crucial step for Starfish’s broader vision of in-orbit satellite servicing. The Otter Pup 2 acts as a testbed for the company's full-scale Otter spacecraft, which is designed to inspect, service, and safely dispose of satellites in orbit.

Starfish's first prototype, Otter Pup 1, encountered logistical challenges post-launch in 2023, preventing a full docking. However, it successfully validated some of the proximity operations technologies developed by the company. Furthermore, an orbital test last year with Impulse Space confirmed the effectiveness of Starfish's guidance, navigation, and control software on a different satellite for autonomous approaches.

Despite being in orbit for almost a year, Otter Pup 2 remains in good health, according to Bennett. The Starfish team has been diligently maneuvering the satellite into the correct orbit to intercept ElaraSat. The next phase involves closing the distance to approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers), followed by an "acquisition phase" where Otter Pup's onboard cameras will lock onto ElaraSat for closer inspection and system calibration.

The final approach will see Otter Pup 2 attach to ElaraSat using an electrostatic docking mechanism. Starfish Space plans to livestream the docking phase, likely via a computer-generated animation based on real-time telemetry, with actual imagery to be downlinked and shared later.

Bennett stated that the immediate goal is to achieve successful contact, even for a brief period. Should the vehicle remain healthy after this milestone, further operations with the spacecraft would be considered. While Bennett remained tight-lipped about the current progress of the full-scale Otter development, he promised more updates soon.

Starfish Space has rapidly gained momentum in the burgeoning space servicing sector. The company has secured several high-profile contracts, including a $37.5 million contract from the U.S. Space Force for a docking demonstration, a subsequent $54.5 million Space Force contract, a $52.5 million Space Development Agency contract for satellite disposal services, and a $15 million NASA contract for satellite inspection. Additionally, it holds a commercial contract with SES for satellite life extension.

Founded in 2019 by former Blue Origin alumni Trevor Bennett and Austin Link, Starfish Space recently announced a significant $111.7 million Series B funding round, contributing to over $150 million in total investment to date. These investments underscore the growing industry confidence in Starfish's vision for a more sustainable and serviceable space environment.

FAQ

Q: What is the primary purpose of Starfish Space's Otter Pup 2 mission?

A: The mission aims to test critical technologies and procedures for autonomous orbital rendezvous, inspection, and docking. This demonstration is vital for developing future satellite servicing and disposal capabilities.

Q: Why did Starfish Space change its target satellite for the docking demonstration?

A: The initial plan to dock with a D-Orbit ION satellite was "scrubbed" for undisclosed reasons. Gilmour Space's ElaraSat, which launched on the same mission as Otter Pup 2, became the new, willing target for the demonstration.

Q: What is the "Otter" spacecraft designed to do in the future?

A: The full-scale Otter spacecraft is intended to provide essential on-orbit services, including inspecting, servicing, extending the operational life, and safely disposing of other satellites, contributing to more sustainable space operations.