The future of space debris management is here, and it's a game-changer! Starfish Space, a Seattle-based company, has secured a groundbreaking contract with the Space Development Agency (SDA) to tackle the challenging task of deorbiting satellites. This move signifies a significant step towards mainstreaming deorbiting services, an essential aspect of space sustainability.
Starfish Space has been awarded a $52.5 million contract to provide 'deorbit as a service' for the SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit. The PWSA includes Tracking Layer satellites for missile detection and Transport Layer satellites for communication, making it a critical infrastructure for national security.
But here's where it gets controversial: Starfish Space will launch its Otter space tug in 2027 to perform the deorbiting mission. This spacecraft will dock with a PWSA satellite that lacks the capability to deorbit on its own, move it to a lower orbit, and then release it for faster reentry.
The contract initially covers the deorbiting of a single PWSA satellite, but Starfish Space CEO Trevor Bennett revealed that there are options to deorbit multiple additional spacecraft. These operations will be carried out by the same Otter spacecraft, showcasing its versatility and efficiency.
Bennett emphasized that the company's success in winning this contract is a result of their feasibility study conducted for the agency in 2024 and 2025. Starfish Space stood out among several competing companies, proving that their satellite deorbiting capabilities are not just theoretical but can be practically implemented.
"The study allowed the agency to explore various companies and assess their capabilities," Bennett explained. "Starfish Space demonstrated that we have the on-orbit capability to turn our ideas into action, setting us apart from PowerPoint presentations."
The contract highlights the agency's focus on purchasing a service rather than acquiring the Otter spacecraft itself. Starfish Space will operate the Otter, while the SDA will select the satellite to be deorbited. Bennett emphasized, "What the SDA is buying is not just hardware; they're investing in a service that provides real value."
Otter is designed to dock with unprepared spacecraft, and Bennett noted that the PWSA satellites launched so far lack docking mechanisms or features to support rendezvous operations. While design information about these satellites, produced by multiple manufacturers, can be beneficial, it is not a prerequisite for the deorbiting process.
"Any additional information the SDA can provide about the specific satellite they're interested in will only enhance our process," Bennett said. "But even without it, we can still execute the deorbiting mission successfully."
The SDA contract adds to Starfish Space's impressive backlog, which includes awards from the U.S. Space Force for satellite servicing and NASA for satellite inspection missions. Bennett believes that the SDA award is a testament to the growing maturity of the satellite servicing market.
"This contract is not about research and development; it's a true service contract," he said. "It's a significant step forward for the agency, showcasing their maturity in contracting and the evolution of their constellation. For us, it means we're building a real market for our services."
Starfish Space is currently demonstrating key technologies for the Otter spacecraft. Last year, the company conducted a proximity operations test with Impulse Space, successfully maneuvering one Mira spacecraft within close proximity to another using Starfish's software. Additionally, Starfish launched Otter Pup 2, a spacecraft designed to attach to satellites in low Earth orbit, and testing has been progressing smoothly.
Bennett highlighted the strong demand for satellite servicing, stating, "There's more demand than we can currently meet with our Otters. Our goal is to succeed with these initial missions and continue expanding our pipeline."
This groundbreaking contract with Starfish Space marks a significant milestone in space debris management and satellite servicing. It showcases the industry's commitment to sustainability and the growing importance of deorbiting services in maintaining a safe and sustainable space environment.
What are your thoughts on the future of satellite servicing and deorbiting? Do you think these services will become a standard practice in the space industry? Share your insights and opinions in the comments below!
