NASA and Partners Unveil SSPICY Mission to Inspect Orbital Debris and Advance In-Space Servicing
NASA, in collaboration with Starfish Space of Seattle, is developing the Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability (SSPICY) mission. This public-private partnership aims to demonstrate technologies for in-space satellite servicing and inspection. The SSPICY mission will utilize Starfish Space's Otter 24C spacecraft, equipped with advanced propulsion, guidance, navigation, and control technologies, as well as an innovative articulating robotic boom. The Otter 24C, weighing 335 kilograms (739 pounds), is designed to maneuver across different orbits to reach and inspect up to four inoperable U.S.-origin space objects, such as satellites or rocket bodies. The mission's primary objectives include performing close-up visual inspections, gathering critical data on debris characteristics, and validating technologies for future debris remediation efforts. The spacecraft will characterize the physical state of each object, collecting information on surface condition, geometry, and orbital details. The mi... 
