Otter Pup
Starfish Space's small demonstration spacecraft, flown in low Earth orbit to test the rendezvous and docking technology behind its larger Otter servicer.
Why it matters
Docking with a satellite that has no handles or fixtures has rarely been done commercially. Small, cheaper demos let Starfish prove its guidance software and docking hardware before flying paid missions for SES, NASA and the military.
How the technology works
The first Otter Pup launched in June 2023, and in April 2024 photographed a D-Orbit ION spacecraft that passed within about 1 km. Otter Pup 2, announced in May 2025, was built to approach a D-Orbit ION and attempt to dock, using ThrustMe electric thrusters and Nautilus capture-mechanism components from Honeybee Robotics.
Sources
Updated Oct 21, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction