News

Kent, Wash.-based Starfish Space has announced that it has been awarded a .8 million contract by AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force. The funds will be used to support the continued development of Starfish Space’s Cephalopod software, which is designed for satellite guidance, navigation, and control. This award builds upon the previous collaborations between Starfish and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Known as a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI), the contract follows a .7 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research contract awarded to Starfish in 2021. Ari Juster, strategy and operations lead at Starfish, expressed excitement about the ongoing collaboration with AFRL. He stated that Cephalopod has the potential to enable future servicing missions that can benefit satellite operators.

Cephalopod is a software platform that allows satellites powered by electric propulsion systems to autonomously rendezvous, conduct proximity operations, and execute docking maneuvers with other objects in space. The software is currently integrated into the Otter Pup, a demonstration spacecraft deployed into low Earth orbit in June 2021.

During its deployment, the Otter Pup experienced an anomaly that caused it to spin at an extreme rate, raising concerns about its ability to complete its planned rendezvous and re-docking with the space tug. However, Starfish has been working diligently to stabilize the satellite and continues to maintain communication with it.

The new contract will complement the ongoing Otter Pup mission and enable substantial enhancements to the Cephalopod platform. The initial period of performance will be 18 months, and it is not dependent on the status of the Otter Pup. The long-term plan for Starfish Space involves the development of a full-featured satellite called the Otter, which could be used for satellite servicing, extending their operational lifespan, or safely deorbiting them.

Starfish Space, founded in 2019 by Austin Link and Trevor Bennett, has attracted more than million in investment. In addition to the contracts with AFRL, the startup has also secured contracts from NASA and the U.S. Space Force’s SpaceWERX program.

The post Starfish Space Awarded .8 Million Contract by AFWERX to Develop Cephalopod Software appeared first on ISP Today.