Space Force orders 'jetpack' to give 2 years of maneuverability to military satellite

space force orders 'jetpack' to give 2 years of maneuverability to military satellite

Space Force orders 'jetpack' to give 2 years of maneuverability to military satellite

The U.S. Space Force has ordered a first-of-its-kind satellite docking mission in order to give an on-orbit spacecraft an additional two years of propulsion and maneuverability.

Space Systems Command (SSC), an organization within the U.S. Space Force tasked with acquiring and deploying new military space technologies, awarded a $37.5 million contract to Seattle-based company Starfish Space to build and launch one of the firm's "Otter" spacecraft.

Otter's mission is to perform "autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations and docking (RPOD), compatible with a wide range of clients, including those that were never designed or configured for docking," according to an SSC statement. That means the spacecraft will be able to meet up with, and attach itself to, a wide range of satellites, providing additional propulsion to spacecraft even if they weren't designed with such a capability in mind.

Starfish Space previously demonstrated the technologies behind its Otter spacecraft with its "Otter Pup" mission, which launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter-8 mission in June 2023.

Otter Pup was able to somewhat successfully rendezvous with another spacecraft, coming within 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) of a satellite in May 2024. Otter Pup suffered a propulsion anomaly early in its mission, however, rendering it unable to maneuver closer to its target.

But Starfish Space was able to salvage the mission by providing data to another satellite operator, D-Orbit, that allowed D-Orbit to maneuver its spacecraft close to Otter Pup. Starfish Space was then able to capture images of the other satellite, marking a "successful rendezvous," according to a company statement.

Despite the challenges it experienced, the Otter Pup mission appears to have been enough to convince Space Systems Command to move forward with this new contract with Starfish Space. The command has been looking for technologies that can provide what the Space Force refers to as "augmented maneuver."

"This project is another step forward in delivering what our warfighters require in sustained space maneuver," said SSC's Col. Joyce Bulson in the command's statement. "There is a wide range of applications for Starfish Space's Otter in addition to augmented maneuver, such as station-keeping or life extension, orbital transfer, and ultimately orbital disposal which assures access to key orbital slots while demonstrating responsible norms in space."

Earlier this year, Space Force leaders stated the need for this type of additional maneuverability. Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Commander of Space Launch Delta 45 on Florida's Space Coast, told reporters at the Space Mobility Conference in Orlando in late January that Space Force is looking to acquire a "backpack or a jetpack that could go connect up with an existing satellite to give it more propulsion," according to Breaking Defense.

Adding additional capabilities to satellites already in orbit has been a focus of U.S. military research and development for years. In January 2024, SSC awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman to launch a Passive Refueling Module, a spacecraft that can dock with and transfer fuel to existing satellites.

And Japan-based company Astroscale was previously awarded a $25.5 million contract by Space Force to develop a satellite-refueling spacecraft that could be launched in 2026.

Starfish Space plans to launch another Otter spacecraft sometime next year.

OTHER NEWS

27 minutes ago

Barry Sanders says he experienced 'health scare' related to his heart

30 minutes ago

North Macedonia's parliament prepares to vote on proposed center-right government

30 minutes ago

3 missing in a landslide in Swiss Alps as heavy rains cause flash floods

30 minutes ago

OceanGate co-founder says ‘humans learn best from failures’ a year after Titan implosion

30 minutes ago

Mudryk's cat helps him inspire Ukraine to victory

30 minutes ago

About 900 fatalities reported in Punjab during Eid holidays

30 minutes ago

Walker fires Roosters into top four with win over Dogs

30 minutes ago

Saturday Kitchen fans 'switch off' after slamming repeat episode's 'insufferable' guest

30 minutes ago

Fever beat Dream 91-79 for their fourth straight win

30 minutes ago

Rams News: Why Running Back Kyren Williams Faces Uncertain Future

30 minutes ago

Players slept during Test: Hafeez

30 minutes ago

Tourists urged to avoid car hire company over ‘serious issues’

30 minutes ago

My Top 25 Beach/Poolside Reads to Make Your Summer Sizzle

30 minutes ago

Roos with a chance to own Bok No 8 spot

30 minutes ago

Gautam Gambhir's only regret is the iconic MS Dhoni moment: 'It was my job to finish, rather than leaving someone...'

30 minutes ago

Fishermen in Mississippi pull off dramatic rescue of 38 dogs treading water

33 minutes ago

Box Office Bombs You Have To Watch On Netflix Right Now

33 minutes ago

Are Alexandra Daddario's Worst Movies Still Worth Watching?

36 minutes ago

Rejuvenated England run in eight tries to thrash Japan and open tour in style

36 minutes ago

Exceptional Euro 2024 star 'discussed' by Liverpool - £47m would seal signing

36 minutes ago

Farage ‘completely wrong’ and appeasing Putin with Ukraine claims, says Sunak

36 minutes ago

Queen Mary of Denmark stuns in orange as she hosts special event at a college in Copenhagen

44 minutes ago

Are We Loving Our Pets to Death?

44 minutes ago

IDF drone fleet chief to 'Post': What we do to save hostages in Gaza

44 minutes ago

Gas prices increase over shortage fear

44 minutes ago

Sailing-Brazil to join SailGP with backing from Abu Dhabi fund

44 minutes ago

Part 2: South Africa Speaks: BAV Top 20 Playtime Brands in 2024: PlayStation leads the way

44 minutes ago

Gaza war: 22 killed in shelling near Red Cross office

44 minutes ago

Sydney Sweeney purchases $13.5 million Florida Keys mansion, joining celebrities in 'tropical anonymity'

45 minutes ago

“Gandalf The Grey Fell Off Stage And Straight Onto Me,” Recalls Shocked London Theatregoer

45 minutes ago

Trying to time the housing market after the rate cut? What experts advise

45 minutes ago

New pools in Toronto finally opening as suffocating heat continues

45 minutes ago

Introducing Houston’s new Storm Tracker 2 weather app from KPRC: Because Mother Nature doesn’t send invitations

45 minutes ago

Black men ask, “What am I voting for?” as they battle frustration

45 minutes ago

A state-by-state breakdown of abortion laws 2 years after Roe was overturned

45 minutes ago

Kyle Walker’s ex Lauryn Goodman defends decision to attend England Euros game with son

45 minutes ago

Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis explains why he is in ‘no rush’ to join HBO reboot series

45 minutes ago

Rejuvenated Germany can win Euros, says World Cup winner Thon

48 minutes ago

Home prices just hit a record high. Here are 4 things to know about housing

48 minutes ago

A Roman beach destroyed by Mount Vesuvius is open to the public for the first time