Space Force Awards Satellite Maneuvering Demonstration Contract to Starfish Space

Starfish Space has secured a $37.5 million contract from Space Systems Command to demonstrate satellite maneuvering and servicing in orbit.

Under the contract, the company’s Otter satellites will perform autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations and docking operations involving docking with U.S. Space Force satellites to extend the service life of each military spacecraft or move them to a new orbit, among other objectives. Military satellites that will participate in the mission, slated for launch in 2026, have yet to be identified, C4ISRNET reported.

According to the SSC, the RPOD demonstration will also show that the Starfish technology is compatible with various satellites, including those that were not built for docking, allowing the military space service to support existing and future assets without the need for additional configuration.

The contract was awarded to Starfish Space to inform plans to use commercial satellites for military spacecraft servicing under the Space Access, Mobility and Logistics program.

For fiscal year 2025, the Space Force is seeking a $14 million budget to fund similar demonstrations.