NASA's SSPICY Mission to Test Technologies for Orbital Debris Inspection and Servicing

According to NASA News Releases, the Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability (SSPICY) mission commenced on October 1 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission serves as a technology demonstration where the Otter spacecraft will approach up to four inoperable space objects of U.S. origin in low Earth orbit, such as satellites and rocket bodies.

In early 2027, the Otter spacecraft, which was developed by Starfish Space, will begin navigating within hundreds of yards of each target to conduct inspections. This navigation will utilize autonomous guidance and control software, requiring minimal input from ground controllers, with computer vision and sensors enabling the software to make real-time navigation decisions as it nears each target.

During the inspection process, the Otter spacecraft is intended to collect vital data regarding each object, including its spin rate, orientation, and surface condition. An electric propulsion system will allow SSPICY to travel between the objects, and an articulating robotic boom will be used to test the pointing of the spacecraft’s thrusters for precise maneuvering across different orbits.

This mission represents the first instance where these technologies will be tested together as an integrated system, which is intended to pave the way for future autonomous servicing and orbital debris inspection. The Otter spacecraft will not make contact or dock with any satellites during the SSPICY mission, but it will test the necessary technologies for future missions that could service or repair objects in orbit, or safely remove them by directing them into Earth’s atmosphere for disposal.

Space objects, such as satellites and rocket bodies, that are malfunctioning or are no longer in service can break apart or collide with one another, which results in various forms of orbital debris, ranging from large fragments to smaller particles. Given that thousands of satellites are launched annually to provide essential services like weather forecasting, navigation, and communications, maintaining the safety of near-Earth space operations is becoming increasingly crucial.

NASA’s Small Spacecraft and Distributed Systems program within the agency’s Research and Technology Mission Directorate manages and funds this technology demonstration. Furthermore, NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer program provided funding to Starfish Space to aid in the early development of the spacecraft’s core technologies and capabilities.