{"id":17062,"date":"2026-01-22T00:42:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T16:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/starfish-space-wins-52-5m-contract-to-provide-satellite-disposal-service-for-space-development-agency\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T00:42:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T16:42:37","slug":"starfish-space-wins-52-5m-contract-to-provide-satellite-disposal-service-for-space-development-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/starfish-space-wins-52-5m-contract-to-provide-satellite-disposal-service-for-space-development-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Starfish Space wins $52.5M contract to provide satellite disposal service for Space Development Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An artist\u2019s conception shows an Otter spacecraft in proximity to another satellite. (Starfish Space Illustration)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Starfish Space has secured a $52.5 million contract from the U.S. Space Force\u2019s Space Development Agency to dispose of military satellites at the end of their operational lives.<\/p>\n

The Tukwila, Wash.-based startup says it\u2019s the first commercial deal ever struck to provide \u201cdeorbit-as-a-service,\u201d or DaaS, for a satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. In this case, the constellation is the Pentagon\u2019s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, which provides global communications access and encrypted connectivity for military missions.<\/p>\n

The contract calls for Starfish Space to launch the satellite disposal service in 2027.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not research and development. This is an actual service, in a structure that allows that service to scale for this constellation, for an entire industry,\u201d Starfish Space co-founder Trevor Bennett told GeekWire. He said the arrangement validates the Space Development Agency\u2019s approach to building and maintaining its constellation, and also validates \u201cthe path that we can take with the industry at large.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starfish is developing a spacecraft called Otter that would be able to capture other satellites, maneuver them into different orbits, release them and then move on. In a deorbiting scenario, Otter would send the target satellite into a trajectory for atmospheric re-entry that wouldn\u2019t pose a risk to other orbital assets. Starfish\u2019s system doesn\u2019t require the target satellite to be pre-outfitted with specialized hardware \u2014 which is a significant selling point.<\/p>\n

The system provides an alternative to what typically happens to satellites toward the end of their lives. Today, most satellite operators either have to execute a deorbiting maneuver while they\u2019re sure that the propulsion system still works, or risk having their spacecraft turn into unmanageable space junk.<\/p>\n

Bennett compared Otter to a tow truck that can be brought in to carry away an old vehicle when it really needs to be scrapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the tow truck kind of capability, we can provide that service as needed, but we are not trying to replace normal operation,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are augmenting it and extending it so the satellites that are being flown in that constellation can go fly longer. \u2026 Once it\u2019s done operating and it\u2019s time to dispose, we can provide that transit to the right disposable altitude.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starfish\u2019s deal with the Space Development Agency builds on a previously awarded mission study contract that supported work on the concept in 2024 and 2025. The $52.5 million won\u2019t be paid out all at once. An initial payment will cover costs leading up to the first deorbiting operation, and from then on, the agency will pay Starfish for services rendered. Bennett declined to provide further financial details, citing confidentiality.<\/p>\n

Otter\u2019s capabilities aren\u2019t limited to deorbiting satellites. The oven-sized spacecraft could also be used to change a satellite\u2019s orbital path, or bring it in for servicing. \u201cWith Otter, we\u2019ve dramatically reduced the cost and complexity of satellite servicing across orbits,\u201d Austin Link, Starfish Space\u2019s other co-founder, said in a news release. \u201cThis contract reflects both the value of affordable servicing missions and the technical readiness of the Otter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starfish conducted a partial test of its first Otter prototype, known as Otter Pup, in 2024. A second prototype, Otter Pup 2, launched in mid-2025 and is currently undergoing tests that could include a satellite docking attempt. \u201cThat vehicle remains healthy and operational, and is actually progressing through some additional mission milestones,\u201d Bennett said.<\/p>\n

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