Software and Hardware Development for "Manta", an Articulating Thruster Boom Enabling Responsive Servicing by the Otter Space Vehicle

Starfish Space is building the Otter satellite servicer, a uniquely capable ESPA-class satellite-servicing vehicle tailored for ISAM missions including prepositioning of space vehicles in orbit, maneuvering resident space objects from one location to another, and end-of-life disposal of derelict satellites. In this Direct-to-Phase-II proposal, Starfish Space proposes development of the ôMantaö, an articulating boom that enables servicing vehicles like the Otter to rapidly and efficiently maneuver much larger clients such as national assets in GEO. As a key subsystem of the Otter itself, Manta will enable two key functions for the spacecraft: precision thrusting and communications/telemetry. Development of the Manta boom directly supports operational readiness of the Starfishĺs core commercial offering: the Otter satellite servicer, which is optimized to enable end-to-end Space Mobility and Logistics (SML) and Dynamic Space Operations.