Starfish Space, a company based in Tukwila, Washington, has recently secured nearly $21 million in funding for their Otter spacecraft missions. The company, founded in 2019 by Trevor Bennett and Austin Link, both of whom are veterans of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture, has had successful investment rounds in the past, raising $7 million in 2021 and an additional $14 million in 2023. The recent funding round comes after Starfish announced agreements to use their Otter spacecraft for various missions, such as inspecting dead satellites and extending the life of operational satellites.
Since completing their $14 million investment round, Starfish has made significant progress in their mission objectives. They have sent a prototype of their Otter satellite servicing spacecraft, known as Otter Pup, into low Earth orbit and tested it under challenging conditions. Additionally, the company has secured a $37.5 million deal with the U.S. Space Force to execute a groundbreaking mission involving the full-scale Otter docking with and maneuvering national security assets in geostationary Earth orbit. These achievements have positioned Starfish as a leader in the satellite servicing industry.
In addition to their agreement with the U.S. Space Force, Starfish has signed a contract with Intelsat to provide on-orbit life extension services to a geostationary satellite starting in 2026. This partnership will allow Starfish to showcase their capabilities in extending the operational life of satellites, a key service in the growing space industry. Furthermore, NASA has selected Starfish and Otter for a $15 million mission that will involve inspecting multiple U.S.-owned defunct satellites in orbit, set to begin in 2027. These missions showcase the versatility and potential impact of Starfish’s spacecraft technology.
Despite the recent success and funding secured by Starfish Space, the company has remained relatively tight-lipped about the details of their latest investment round. When contacted by GeekWire, Starfish declined to provide further information about the investors involved in the nearly $21 million funding round. This decision to keep details private may stem from the competitive nature of the space industry, where companies strive to maintain a strategic advantage and protect their proprietary information.
The developments at Starfish Space highlight the rapid advancements in satellite servicing technology and the increasing interest in commercial space missions. With agreements in place with major entities such as the U.S. Space Force, Intelsat, and NASA, Starfish is well-positioned to continue leading the way in on-orbit servicing and satellite extension services. The company’s innovative approach and successful test missions demonstrate their commitment to revolutionizing the space industry and unlocking new opportunities for satellite operations in Earth’s orbit.
As Starfish Space continues to expand its capabilities and secure partnerships with key industry players, the future looks promising for the company and its groundbreaking missions. With the recent funding injection and agreements for upcoming missions, Starfish is poised to make a significant impact on the satellite servicing sector and contribute to the advancement of space technology. The successful deployment of their Otter spacecraft and the execution of complex missions with government agencies and commercial partners showcase Starfish’s ability to innovate and drive progress in the ever-evolving space industry.
