Starfish Space Secures New Funding Ahead of Crucial Orbital Servicing Demo Mission

In the ever-evolving world of space exploration, satellite operators face a daunting challenge when a critical component malfunctions or a satellite runs out of fuel. In such situations, they have no choice but to consider the asset as lost forever. However, with the emergence of companies like Starfish Space, this narrative is slowly changing.

Introducing Otter: A Game-Changer in Satellite Servicing

Starfish Space, a four-year-old company, is leading the charge in developing a satellite servicing vehicle called Otter. This innovative technology will enable life extension missions in geosynchronous orbit or deorbit satellites once they reach the end of their useful life in low Earth orbit.

While developing the Otter, Starfish is planning to launch a demonstration version, playfully called Otter Pup, this summer. The spacecraft will hitch a ride on a Launcher Orbiter 3 space tug (which itself will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket); once in orbit, Otter Pup will deploy from Orbiter, then attempt to rendezvous and dock with the spacecraft.

"This will be the first ever time that two separate commercial satellites have docked in low Earth orbit," said Ari Juster, Starfish’s operations lead. This milestone achievement is a testament to the company’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of satellite technology.

Advancements in Orbital Servicing

In advance of this groundbreaking mission, Starfish announced that it has closed $14 million in new funding led by Munich Re Ventures, with participation from Toyota Ventures and all the major investors from Starfish’s seed round: PSL Ventures, NFX, and MaC VC.

The infusion of capital will accelerate the development of the Otter servicing vehicle and the Otter Pup mission. Additionally, it will enable the company to grow its workforce from 27 employees to upward of 10-15 more people before the year is out.

Orbital servicing has the potential to unlock a wealth of value for satellite operators, who can use Otter to extend the operational life of their assets already in space. According to Juster, Starfish’s team has been able to bring costs down due to declining launch prices and increased availability of components needed for its missions.

Focus on Breakthrough Technologies

The company’s focus on core breakthrough technologies, such as guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), is essential for executing complex satellite capture and docking operations. Juster emphasized that the team has been able to optimize the trajectory using Starfish’s proprietary GNC software, Cephalopod.

However, the initial mission will focus not only on docking but also on the moments leading up to it. "What’s the distance at which we can actually acquire contact with the Orbiter 3? How can we use computer vision to recognize it, to understand its orientation?" asked Juster.

It may take multiple attempts to dock with Orbiter 3, and depending on the amount of fuel left on Otter Pup, the company may try different maneuvers in space.

The Potential Impact of Orbital Servicing

Orbital servicing has the potential to revolutionize the way satellites are operated. By extending the life of existing assets, operators can reduce costs and minimize waste. This innovative technology also enables satellite owners to focus on higher-value tasks, such as data collection and analysis.

As the space industry continues to evolve, companies like Starfish Space will play a crucial role in shaping its future. With the development of Otter and other pioneering technologies, we can expect significant advancements in satellite operations and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• Orbital servicing has the potential to unlock significant value for satellite operators by extending the life of existing assets.
• Starfish Space is leading the charge in developing a satellite servicing vehicle called Otter.
• The company’s focus on breakthrough technologies, such as GNC and computer vision, is essential for executing complex satellite capture and docking operations.
• Orbital servicing can help reduce costs, minimize waste, and enable higher-value tasks like data collection and analysis.

Stay tuned for further updates on this groundbreaking technology and its potential impact on the space industry.