The Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability (SSPICY) mission, launched in October 2026, features the Otter spacecraft developed by Starfish Space. It autonomously approaches inactive U.S. satellites and rocket bodies in low Earth orbit to perform detailed inspections without physical contact. Using onboard computer vision and sensors, the spacecraft navigates within hundreds of yards of up to four targets, collecting data on their spin rates, orientations, and surface conditions.
Equipped with an electric propulsion system and an articulating robotic boom for precision maneuvering, SSPICY integrates these systems for the first time to demonstrate the capabilities necessary for future autonomous servicing missions and orbital debris assessment. The mission lays groundwork towards reducing debris and enabling satellite repairs, though it does not include docking or physical repairs during this demonstration.
Source & further reading
NASA’s SSPICY Mission to Demonstrate In-Space Inspection Technologies ↗Source published 2026-10-08. This report was prepared with AI assistance from the linked primary-source material. Claims and limitations should be checked against the original announcement or research.