The SSPICY mission will deploy Starfish Space's first operational Otter vehicle for close-range inspection of defunct U.S. satellites in low Earth orbit, with NASA framing the flight as a precursor to future capture, repair, or disposal operations.
In early September 2026, U.S. Space Command physically repositioned satellites across low, medium, and geosynchronous orbits in what officials described as a landmark step toward mastering dynamic space operations.
The Kirkland, Washington startup—founded by former Starlink Aviation engineers—has developed an aviation-grade line replacement unit that fuses LEO satellite data with inertial navigation to harden commercial aircraft against growing GNSS threats.
The California startup is now the first commercial company cleared to transmit on GPS-adjacent spectrum, a regulatory breakthrough that positions it as a genuine alternative to government-run navigation systems.
