The SSPICY mission, supported by NASA, carried a new spacecraft with a mass of 335 kilograms into orbit to closely examine inoperable satellites and rocket parts. Developed by Starfish Space, Otter was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on October 1 and will begin approaching its targets in early 2027. However, this demonstration mission will test inspection technologies without docking with or touching satellites.
According to NASA’s new mission description, Otter will visit up to four inoperable objects of United States origin in low Earth orbit. The vehicle will approach its targets to examine space objects that do not work with autonomous guidance software, with limited intervention from ground control. Additionally, computer vision and sensors will support split-second decisions during approach.
Collecting data about the object’s rotation speed, orientation and surface condition are among the main tasks of the mission. In addition, the electric propulsion system will enable the vehicle to travel between different trajectories between different targets. The mobile robot arm will change the direction of the thrusters and test precise maneuvers between orbits in real space conditions during flight.
On the other hand, NASA states that it will try these technologies together in the same integrated system for the first time and aims for future maintenance missions. During the demonstration, the spacecraft is not planned to repair the target or destroy it in the atmosphere within the announced scope of the mission. Thus, the new mission will first collect the approach and inspection data required by these operations.
Otter is testing four different technologies on the same spacecraft
NASA’s technical mission page explains that Otter 24C carries a mass of 335 kilograms and expects the program to take about two years. In addition, California-based Astro Digital is preparing the body of the spacecraft as part of this joint work. Starfish, on the other hand, is developing four core technologies that the mission uses for guidance, approach and inspection.
The movable arm called Manta can turn the thruster in different directions with its multiple joints and offers movement in six degrees of freedom. In addition, CETACEAN software calculates the position and movement of the target relative to the vehicle by using images and sensors. CEPHALOPOD evaluates this data as the spacecraft approaches the target for safe approach or abandonment decisions.
The fourth technology, Nautilus, is being prepared as a mechanical gripper that can hold on to different surfaces and protrusions that are not designed for docking. On the other hand, NASA specifically emphasizes in the technical document that there is no interlocking between the goals of the SSPICY demonstration. Therefore, the presence of the grasper does not indicate that another satellite will be captured in this flight and does not change the stated purpose of the test mission.
Additionally, target selection takes into account the object’s American origin, medium size, and proximity to the starting orbit. The technical sheet also includes an altitude of at least 400 kilometers in a circular orbit. However, the approach data will provide a basis for evaluating the possibility of further maintenance or safe removal in subsequent missions.