In a landmark move for orbital sustainability, the U.S. Space Force has awarded Starfish Space a $52.5 million contract to provide end-of-life disposal services for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
On Wednesday, the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) announced the contract, which marks the first-ever “Deorbit-as-a-Service” agreement for a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation. Under the terms of the deal, Starfish Space will utilize its Otter servicing vehicle to autonomously dock with and safely deorbit defunct satellites within the PWSA, a critical network managed by the Space Development Agency (SDA).
Otter Vehicle Technical Capabilities
The Otter is an ESPA-class satellite servicing vehicle designed for autonomous Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD). Unlike traditional servicers, the Otter is approximately 10 times smaller in mass, utilizing high-efficiency electric propulsion to maintain a low-cost profile while executing high-precision maneuvers.
The vehicle is powered by three proprietary technology pillars:
- CETACEAN: A computer vision-based navigation software that enables the vehicle to estimate the relative position and orientation of a client satellite using off-the-shelf sensors.
- CEPHALOPOD: Autonomous guidance and control software that plans and executes safe approach trajectories.
- Nautilus: A universal capture mechanism designed to adhere to virtually any flat surface, allowing the Otter to dock with satellites that were not originally designed with docking ports.
Strategic Context and Program Evolution
This award builds on a history of collaboration between the Space Force and the Tukwila-based startup. In June 2024, Space Systems Command awarded Starfish Space a $37.5 million STRATFI contract to demonstrate augmented maneuver capabilities for national security assets in Geostationary Orbit (GEO).
The new $52.5 million contract reflects a shift toward operationalizing commercial solutions for the “Proliferated Warfighter” trend. As the DoD deploys hundreds of satellites into LEO, the risk of orbital debris from defunct assets has become a primary concern for mission resilience. Lt. Gen. Philip A. Garrant, Commander of SSC, has previously emphasized the need for “ready, resilient, combat-credible forces” and the integration of commercial capabilities to maintain the U.S. advantage in a contested environment.
Timeline for Orbital Disposal Missions
The first operational Otter vehicles supporting this contract are expected to launch in late 2026. This follows the scheduled 2025 launch of the Otter Pup 2 mission, which aims to perform the first-ever commercial satellite docking in LEO by attaching to a D-Orbit ION spacecraft. Successful validation of the Nautilus mechanism during the Otter Pup 2 mission will be the final technical gate before the Otter begins its multi-year deorbiting campaign for the Space Force.
