Docking spacecraft looks easy in the movies, but in reality, it’s one of the hardest challenges in space. Why? Because maneuvering one satellite to dock with another requires incredible precision. In the past, this has only been possible with high-mass, low-efficiency chemical propulsion systems. Otter Pup 2 is demonstrating a new approach to docking using low-mass, high-efficiency electric propulsion. Check out Episode 3 of our Otter Pup 2 video series to learn more about the challenge of docking satellites, and how we’re approaching it at Starfish.

If your water heater broke, would you build a whole new office? Probably not… You’d call a servicing company and get back to work. That’s how the future of space will work, too. Instead of launching entirely new satellites every time a fix or upgrade is needed, satellite servicing vehicles will refuel, repair and improve the platforms already in orbit. Tune into the full episode of Valley of Depth with our co-founder, @AustinLink, to hear more about our vision for the future of space, and how we’re pursuing it with Otter. Full podcast: piped.video/CGPHjaWrz8U?si=u2ts…

Otter Pup 2 is on a journey to attempt one of the hardest missions a satellite can execute: autonomous Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD). Each phase of RPOD has its own unique challenges: – Rendezvous requires Otter Pup 2 to conduct long-range maneuvers to get closer to the client satellite’s orbit, and eventually identify the client using on-board cameras. – During Proximity Operations, Otter Pup 2 performs a delicate dance with the client, orbiting within meters of it while maintaining awareness and safety. – Finally, Otter Pup 2 approaches the client for precise Docking with an unprepared surface. RPOD is an extremely challenging mission that few satellites in history have pulled off. If successful, Otter Pup 2 will add its name to the short list, and bring us all closer to an interactive future in orbit.

Satellite servicing doesn’t need to be big and expensive. Traditional vehicles pack in thrusters and sensors until they’re massive, slow to build, and costly to launch. We’re flipping that model. With just one thruster and <1 kg of cameras, our autonomous software can dock a spacecraft that’s 10x smaller than legacy servicing vehicles. Smaller = cheaper, faster, more agile. That’s how we make on-orbit servicing actually scalable. Next up: Otter Pup 2 is getting ready to prove it in space. Stay tuned.

Today we’re highlighting a long-standing Starfish mission partner @astrodigitalgeo. We’ve worked with Astro Digital on several missions to-date, including Otter Pup 2, and their partnership has been invaluable in making these missions a reality. Astro Digital’s role as Otter Pup 2 satellite bus manufacturer and integrator has allowed us to focus on solving the core technical problems inherent in satellite docking, while taking advantage of Astro Digital’s track record building and operating dozens of successful satellite missions to-date. We’re proud to partner with @astrodigitalgeo as we work to build an interactive future for the space industry. Follow along as Otter Pup 2 attempts the next steps in this journey!

With satellites moving at incredible speeds to avoid falling back towards Earth, how can we safely maneuver satellites closer to one another in preparation for rendezvous and docking? We do so by working with relative orbital mechanics. Larger orbits take longer to complete, and differences in orbital paths cause satellites to “catch up” or “fall behind” each other from a relative perspective called the “Hill frame.” By planning around these relative motions, we can gradually align for rendezvous and docking with a client satellite. Otter Pup 2 is using this principle through a series of phasing maneuvers to safely close the distance to its client satellite. To-date, these maneuvers have brought Otter Pup 2’s orbit within hundreds of kilometers of its docking partner. Getting closer is an important part of Otter Pup 2, building towards the first commercial satellite docking in LEO.

Otter Pup 2 has successfully fired its thrusters dozens of times in orbit, making progress towards its docking attempt. These maneuvers are possible thanks to thrusters provided by our mission partner @ThrustMe_space. While thrusters are essential for rendezvous, proximity operations and docking (RPOD), historically only high-mass, low-efficiency chemical propulsion systems have been able to pull off docking missions. At Starfish, we’ve developed software uniquely capable of performing docking missions using low-mass, high-efficiency electric propulsion systems, like those made by ThrustMe. Our ability to dock using efficient electric propulsion systems means we can provide greater value to our customers and finally scale satellite servicing across the space industry. With Otter Pup 2, we have a chance to validate this capability, attempting the first-ever satellite docking mission using only electric propulsion. We’re proud to partner with @ThrustMe_space on this journey, and invite you to follow along as we continue working towards our historic docking attempt. Video credit: ThrustMe

Otter Pup 2 is on the move, making progress towards its goal of docking with another satellite. Every step forward gives us something incredibly valuable: data. At its core, the Otter Pup 2 mission matters to Starfish because of the data we get from it. This data comes in many forms, and helps us do things like: - Anchor the simulations we use to develop our flight algorithms - Test and refine our autonomous guidance, navigation and control software - Increase our experience operating complex missions on orbit - Validate the core technologies required to enable full Otter missions A successful docking would be a historic milestone, but it’s the data we gain along the way that truly brings us closer to an interactive future in orbit.

As we continue commissioning Otter Pup 2 on orbit, we’re dropping the next video in our series giving a behind-the-scenes look at the mission. In this episode, we explore the value Starfish technology brings to our customers, how solving complex problems with software instead of hardware unlocks that value, and how this focus on value helps create a new paradigm for the space industry. Check out Episode 2 now, and join us in the exciting journey of Otter Pup 2 as we attempt to dock with another satellite!

Otter Pup 2 is on orbit and making progress towards its mission to attempt docking with another satellite. There are multiple milestones in this journey, some of which could take months to accomplish: – Establish communications – Complete commissioning – Conduct long range rendezvous – Operate in close proximity to client – Attempt docking We established radio communications with the satellite shortly after launch and it is operating nominally. Next up: commissioning Otter Pup 2 to ensure its hardware and software is working as expected. Follow along as Otter Pup 2 attempts to dock with another satellite, bringing us closer to an interactive future in orbit.

Otter Pup 2 separation confirmed - thanks for the ride, @SpaceX! 👋 Launch is an exciting milestone for Otter Pup 2, placing the satellite into low Earth orbit so it can work towards its mission: docking with another satellite and validating core Starfish technologies along the way. If successful in these goals, Otter Pup 2 will bring us closer to an interactive future in orbit, shifting the paradigm for what humanity can accomplish as we venture out into the universe. Stay tuned for more updates during the early phases of the Otter Pup 2 mission!

As we get closer to launching Otter Pup 2, we’re rolling out a video series to take you behind the scenes of the mission. We’ll share why this small satellite is so special and what makes this mission unique. Check out Episode 1 now for a closer look at our software-first design and our approach to making satellite servicing economically viable at scale. Join us in the exciting journey of Otter Pup 2!

We are excited to unveil Otter Pup 2! This mission will attempt the first-ever docking with a commercial satellite in low Earth orbit. Building on the heritage of our Otter Pup 1 mission, Otter Pup 2 will conduct rendezvous, proximity operations, and ultimately attempt docking with an unprepared client satellite in LEO. If successful, Otter Pup 2 won’t just make history - it will bring us closer to an interactive future in orbit, shifting the paradigm for what humanity can accomplish as we venture out into the universe. In the coming months, we’ll be sharing more about the mission, and how it helps Starfish accomplish our broader goals. Check out the video below for a sneak peak, and read our full press release for more details. Otter Pup 2 Press Release: starfishspace.com/press-rele…

When we started our fifth anniversary celebration, we promised to reveal the fourth technology we’ve developed to enable Otter missions. Today, we’re unveiling Manta! Manta is an articulating boom that Otter uses for precision thrusting while docked with a client satellite. Manta enables Otter to provide life extension and disposal services to satellites of all shapes and sizes. Check out a scaled-down prototype of Manta in action on the test stand earlier this year:

As we continue our fifth-anniversary celebration, we're excited to spotlight Nautilus - our capture mechanism that allows Otter to dock with a wide variety of client satellites. On our Otter Pup mission last year, we launched a prototype version of Nautilus which uses static electricity to adhere to flat, featureless surfaces on a client satellite. Earlier this year, Otter Pup captured this shot of Nautilus deployed in orbit:

Announcing $29M in new funding led by @ShieldCapVC! This funding will support the development of our first Otter servicing vehicles, which will perform missions for Intelsat, the U.S. Space Force, and NASA. techcrunch.com/2024/11/13/st… Full press release here: starfishspace.com/press-rele…

Starfish Space is proud to have been selected by @NatReconOfc to conduct a mission concept study. This collaboration offers a valuable opportunity to assess how Otter can enhance our national space-based intelligence infrastructure.

Continuing Starfish’s fifth anniversary celebration, today we’re showcasing CEPHALOPOD, our autonomous guidance and control software. CEPHALOPOD leverages data from CETACEAN and other sources to plan and execute trajectories for Otter, enabling precise rendezvous and docking with client satellites. CEPHALOPOD is a modular piece of software, allowing it to integrate with a variety of satellite architectures while consistently ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operations in orbit.

We’re celebrating five years of Starfish with a showcase of the technologies we’ve built to enable our Otter satellite servicing missions. Today, we’re highlighting CETACEAN, our relative navigation software. CETACEAN processes on-orbit imagery data to determine the positioning of a client satellite as Otter approaches it for rendezvous and docking. CETACEAN runs in real-time onboard Otter, ensuring our missions can be executed autonomously and with precision.