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Starfish Space, based in Kent, Washington, has secured a .8 million contract from AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force, to support the ongoing development of its Cephalopod software. This software is designed for satellite guidance, navigation, and control. The contract is known as a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) and builds upon previous collaborations between Starfish and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

The contract follows a .7 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research contract that Starfish received in 2021. Starfish’s co-founder, Austin Link, expressed excitement about continuing the collaboration with AFRL and highlighted the potential benefits of Cephalopod for future servicing missions.

Cephalopod is a software platform that enables satellites equipped with electric propulsion systems to autonomously approach, conduct proximity operations, and perform docking maneuvers with other objects in space. The software is integrated into Otter Pup, a demonstration spacecraft deployed into low Earth orbit in June.

During deployment, Otter Pup experienced an anomaly that caused it to spin at an extreme rate. The Starfish team has been working to stabilize the spacecraft and ensure its planned rendezvous and re-docking with the space tug.

The newly awarded contract will complement the ongoing Otter Pup mission. Starfish aims to make substantial enhancements to the Cephalopod platform with the contract. The initial performance period is set at 18 months and will run alongside the Otter Pup mission, but it is not dependent on the status of Otter Pup.

Starfish’s long-term plan includes the development of a full-featured satellite called the Otter, which could be utilized for servicing other satellites in orbit to extend their operational lifespans or safely deorbit them when their missions are complete. The startup has attracted over million in investments and has additional contracts from NASA and the U.S. Space Force’s SpaceWERX program.

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