Starfish Space is a company that is unlocking affordable and available satellite servicing. They have developed an autonomous satellite servicing vehicle called Otter, which is 10x smaller and significantly less expensive than alternatives. Otter uses exclusively electric propulsion to dock with satellites and its first assignments are satellite life extension and disposal. Starfish Space is actively validating their technology on orbit and has launched their first mission, Otter Pup, in June 2023.

Starfish Space

Starfish Space is giving life to on-orbit services!

Our Otter Space Tug maximizes satellite capability through satellite servicing missions like life extension and debris removal.

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Introducing the Otter Pup by Starfish Space!

The first ever satellite docking with electric propulsion. The first ever commercial satellite docking in low-Earth orbit. Docking in fall 2023.

https://lnkd.in/e9SCQmD5

#StarfishSpace #SatelliteServicing #OtterSpace #OtterPup

We are excited to announce Starfish's receipt of a TACFI award, supporting development of our CEPHALOPOD software for autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking:

https://lnkd.in/gd8itCiC

The Journey of Otter Pup: Detumbling

After deployment, Otter Pup was left spinning at several hundred degrees per second. Onboard magnetorquers (aka torque rods) can help us attempt to stabilize the satellite. Torque rods work by using an electric current to create a small magnetic field, "pushing off" against the Earth's natural magnetic field as it extends out into space. By precisely adjusting the current in the three onboard torque rods, it may be possible to reduce the rate of spin over time, giving Otter Pup a chance to continue with its mission.

#StarfishSpace #OtterPup #dockasattelite

The Journey of Otter Pup: Staying Alive

There are two primary systems onboard Otter Pup that can help the satellite stay alive in its current challenging circumstances:

- On-board solar panels on multiple surfaces charge on-board batteries, providing power to critical systems
- Omnidirectional radios support communication between the satellite and our team on Earth 

Today, Pup continues to stay alive, but should power get too low, we may lose communication and with it the chance to complete recovery.

The Journey of Otter Pup: The Path Forward

Otter Pup is in a tough situation on orbit, with rotation rates ~100x larger than planned. Here are the main steps we'll attempt to stabilize the satellite: 

1. Stay alive (maintain communications and power)
2. Detumble with torque rods
3. Check systems for damage
4. Commission the satellite

This process will take multiple months, and success is far from guaranteed. However, our team is working hard to give Otter Pup a chance to pursue its docking mission.

#StarfishSpace #OtterPup #dockasatellite

The Journey of Otter Pup: Launch Day

Otter Pup launches later today on SpaceX's Transporter-8! 

Stay tuned, the journey to docking a satellite has only just begun. Watch the Falcon 9 lift off with Otter Pup on board here: https://lnkd.in/duKrefyN

#StarfishSpace #OtterPup #DockASatellite

The Journey of Otter Pup!

In just a few days, Otter Pup will embark on its mission to attempt docking with another satellite in low Earth orbit. In The Journey of Otter Pup series we'll be sharing why we are embarking on this mission, what it took to get here, and what Otter Pup could mean for the future of satellite servicing.

Follow along with each chapter as Otter Pup goes from launch to docking attempt later this year; we'll be documenting and highlighting milestones along the way.

#starfishspace #otterpup #dockasatellite

We're honored to receive another NASA SBIR award, this time for Nautilus! If you'd like to help us shape the future of on-orbit servicing, apply here: https://lnkd.in/ggHeeF7R

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