Starfish Space's first full-scale Otter spacecraft reached orbit, separated from its rocket and powered up on October 1. The satellite-servicing vehicle flew on SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission from California. After commissioning, its NASA-backed mission calls for close inspections of inoperable satellites. The arrival follows two smaller Otter Pup flight tests and moves the company from prototype flights to its full-scale vehicle.
Starfish Space, a satellite-servicing company based in Tukwila in the US state of Washington, sent its first full-scale Otter into orbit on October 1. The vehicle launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare. After traveling aboard a Falcon 9, Otter separated from the upper stage and powered up for orbital operations.[1], [2]
Otter is roughly the size of a kitchen oven, with solar arrays folded for launch. Once commissioning is complete, the mission plan calls for it to rendezvous with and inspect inoperable satellites. NASA, the US space agency, supports the work through its Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability mission. That program addresses propulsion and inspection using small spacecraft.[1]
The mission follows two orbital tests of smaller Otter Pup prototypes. The first did not link up with its target satellite, but demonstrated Starfish's satellite-tracking system. The second prototype entered orbit last year and is approaching its target. Capabilities demonstrated through Otter's NASA mission could support future inspections of active satellites or disposal of defunct spacecraft, according to the mission account. The full-scale vehicle's current milestone is its arrival and power-up ahead of those inspection operations.[1]
