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Spacecraft · Space

Otter

Autonomous satellite servicing vehicle designed for life extension and disposal.

by Starfish Space

SpacecraftSpace
starfishspace.com/the-otter

Timeline

No milestones recorded for Otter yet. The timeline fills in as unveilings, tests, contracts and deliveries are sourced.

Cost to the government

  • Contract unit priceConfirmed
    $54.5M
    Estimate / observation: 2026-02 · Then-year $ · 1 unit

    APFIT-funded SSC contract (awarded early Feb 2026, announced 2026-02-07) to deliver one Otter servicing vehicle (the second Otter acquired by SSC) for GEO dynamic space operations, delivery 2028. Per SpaceNews the contract covers manufacture and operation of the Otter (for at least five years), so operations are bundled; launch inclusion not stated.

    Starfish Space
Earlier cost observations (2)
  • Otter · Contract unit price · $15.0M
    Estimate / observation: 2024-09-25 · Then-year $ · 1 unit

    NASA SBIR Phase III contract (80NSSC24CA187), three years, for the SSPICY debris-inspection mission flown by one Otter (first full-scale Otter, launching on Transporter-18 NET Oct 2026). Price per mission, bundling completion of development, the spacecraft and operations; inspection only, no docking. Launch inclusion not stated.

    GeekWire
  • Otter · Contract unit price · $37.5M
    Estimate / observation: 2024-05 · Then-year $ · 1 unit

    SSC STRATFI firm-fixed-price contract (45th Contracting Squadron) to further develop, launch and operate one Otter for augmented maneuver of national security assets (about two years of service). Starfish's 2026 release calls this the first Otter acquired by SSC. Price bundles development, launch and operations; STRATFI awards can include other matching funds not reflected here.

    Starfish Space

Unit costs and contract unit prices for this product, and budget figures for the programs that buy it. Each figure states its dollar basis and links its source; contract values are under Programs & awards.

Sources4

  1. 1.
    CompanyStarfish Space Awarded $54.5 Million Space Force Contract for Dedicated Otter Satellite Servicing Vehicle

    Starfish Space · Feb 7, 2026 · Supports: Cost · amount, Cost · quantity

    “Starfish Space today announced it has been awarded a $54.5 million contract to deliver its second Otter satellite servicing vehicle for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC)”
  2. 2.
    NewsStarfish Space wins $15M NASA award for a SSPICY mission to visit dead satellites

    GeekWire · Sep 25, 2024 · Supports: Cost · amount

    “has won a three-year, $15 million contract from NASA for a mission aimed at doing up-close inspections of defunct satellites in orbit”
  3. 3.
    NewsStarfish Space Awarded Space Force Contract for Otter Satellite Development Work

    ExecutiveBiz · Supports: Cost · amount

    “has secured a $37.5 million contract from Space Systems Command to further develop, launch and operate a satellite designed to provide augmented maneuver support”
  4. 4.
    CompanySay hello to Otter, your satellite’s new best friend

    Starfish Space · Supports: System

    “Otter is an autonomous satellite servicing vehicle.”

Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.