Starfish Space, a company headquartered in Tukwila, Washington, has been chosen by the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command to manufacture an additional Otter satellite servicing spacecraft. This new contract, announced recently, follows a previous $37.5 million contract awarded in 2024 through the Department of the Air Force’s Strategic Funding Increase program. The latest contract, funded under the Pentagon’s APFIT program, is a testament to Starfish Space’s capabilities and commitment to advancing space technology.
This prestigious award is the sole APFIT contract granted to a space company in the current cycle and stands out as one of the program’s largest contracts to date. Austin Link, co-founder of Starfish Space, expressed his pride in expanding the company’s collaboration with the Space Force through the APFIT program. He emphasized the importance of programs like APFIT in transitioning innovative platforms like the Otter spacecraft from development to operational deployment.
Designed for autonomous inspection and docking, the Otter satellite servicing spacecraft will have the capability to service satellites in geosynchronous Earth orbit, regardless of their original design. Starfish Space’s cutting-edge technology will enable the Space Force to enhance the longevity and operational flexibility of critical space assets, thereby increasing resilience in the face of evolving mission requirements.
Starfish Space, established in 2019 by Austin Link and Trevor Bennett, former engineers at Blue Origin, has been at the forefront of developing advanced space technologies. With a strong focus on innovation and collaboration, the company has secured significant funding to advance projects like the Otter spacecraft. The upcoming delivery of the Otter satellite servicing spacecraft in 2028 marks a pivotal moment in Starfish Space’s journey towards revolutionizing space operations.
