Once Otter Pup helps prove out Starfish ’ s core technologies , the company will begin deploying full-scale Otter servicing vehicles to serve various customers in space . As the business grows and commercial contracts are secured to service multi-million-dollar satellites and dispose of dead satellites or other space debris , the company will continue to scale up the number of Otters in space . Otter mammals in a group are called a bevy , family , lodge , or romp , so pay attention to the fleet of Otters by Starfish Space as it grows .
It is a unique business model because it is a servicing business solving a problem for satellite owners in space . But conversely , like most successful businesses , it is a business model that promulgates success through the replication of service .
Starfish Space acquired funding in September 2021 with an infusion of $ 7M . According to an article by Alan Boyle for GeekWire , “ The seed funding round was co-led by NFX and MaC Venture Capital , with participation from PSL Ventures , Boost VC , Liquid2 Ventures and Hypothesis .”
Jonathan Kneller , project execution for Starfish Space , stated that the funding allowed them to “ go on a hiring spree ,” which he said is critical to their success .
The employee roster looks like the best and brightest lineup in the industry . Strategy and Operations Lead Ari Juster oversees business development and most recently worked for the NFL . Of the company ’ s rapid pace of hiring , Juster said that he “ almost feels like a veteran at this point ,” although he joined just a year ago .
STARFISH SPACE OCEAN-THEMED NAMING
Otter ( Semi-aquatic and playful mammals from the weasel family that propel through water )
The Otter is the full-scale satellite that Starfish will use to provide services to customers in space .
Cetacean ( A whale , dolphin , or porpoise )
Used by the Otter as a binocular vision system , which will determine the position of the docking target .
Cephalopod ( A predatory mollusk like an octopus or squid )
The Otter uses autonomous guidance , navigation , and control software , which directs the electric propulsion system to make its final approach .
Nautilus ( A cephalopod with tentacles and a powerful grip , in a shell )
The Otter ’ s capture mechanism utilizes static electricity to dock with other satellites , generating an adhesive force strong enough to dock with another satellite .
Otter Pup ( The baby of an Otter , that stays with its mother for up to a year )
A scaled-down , simplified version of the Otter will be a fact-finding satellite for proof of concept , launching mid- 2023 .
DECEMBER 2022 | JANUARY 2023 ISSUE NO . 30 11