Starfish Space Loses Contact With Otter 24C Spacecraft in Orbit

What went wrong

According to NASA, the investigation found a flaw in the spacecraft's fault-protection system, which is meant to detect problems and respond to them. A software error caused this system to shut down the onboard radio. Controllers on the ground could then neither send commands nor restart the communications system.

What the mission was meant to do

The roughly 335-kilogram spacecraft was flying a mission called SSPICY, designed to test technologies for inspecting inactive objects in orbit. Over two years it was to approach up to four defunct American space objects and carry out detailed visual inspections, gathering data on their condition, orientation and spin rate. It was equipped with advanced propulsion, navigation, guidance and control systems and a movable robotic arm. It was not designed to touch or dock with any satellite; the aim was to prove technologies that could later enable servicing, repair or removal.

Starfish Space received 15 million dollars from NASA for the mission under the Small Business Innovation Research program. The company says the work done on Otter 24C will improve future missions and that it is making changes to reduce the chance of the same fault recurring.

The company continues to test its smaller demonstrator, Otter Pup 2, launched in June 2025. That craft autonomously approached Gilmour Space's Elara Sat satellite to within 25 meters, testing the navigation and close-approach techniques that precede docking attempts.