Starfish Space's Otter servicing spacecraft begins first mission

Starfish Space's first full-size Otter satellite servicing vehicle has reached orbit after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare launch. Otter, about the size of an oven, will begin its $15 million NASA-funded job: inspecting inoperable satellites, with plans for more missions if successful. This follows smaller test flights and sets Otter up for future commercial servicing and satellite disposal work.

• Otter separated from rocket and began orbital operations
• NASA is paying $15 million for satellite inspections
• Earlier Otter prototype flight failed to dock but did track its target
• Starfish is planning more missions for government and commercial clients