Starfish Space is hoping to prove the concept of being able to dock to unprepared satellites for repair, refueling, or repositioning in orbit. The mission, known as Otter Pup 2, is now set to launch aboard the SpaceX Transporter-14 rideshare mission.

This follows the company’s first attempt, which saw the Otter Pup 1 mission unable to dock with its target due to a thruster failure.

The target will be a D-Orbit ION spacecraft which will simulate a client payload, which is not equipped with a traditional docking adapter or capture plate as you might see aboard a space station or other rendezvous target.

Instead, Starfish Space’s Nautilus capture mechanism will feature a special end effector connected to the end of the capture mechanism. This end effector will enable Otter Pup 2 to dock with the ION through electrostatic adhesion.

“An electromagnet will be integrated into the end effector and will be used as a backup option to the electrostatic end effector, to dock with the ION through magnetic attraction,” the company notes.

The goal is to eventually commission its Otter satellite servicing vehicle to allow for servicing of previously launched satellites. The company’s first Otter missions include customers such as NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and Intelsat, with the goal of flying those missions as soon as 2026.

Transporter-14 is currently scheduled to launch no earlier than June 1, 2025.