# NASA Demonstrates In-Space Inspection Technologies

NASA launched its SSPICY technology demonstration on October 1, 2026, to test Starfish Space’s Otter spacecraft inspecting up to four inactive U.S.-origin objects in low Earth orbit. Inspection operations are expected to begin in early 2027. The mission is not a solicitation or an announced contract award, but it demonstrates NASA’s investment in autonomous spacecraft navigation, in-space inspection and servicing, and orbital-debris removal technologies that could inform future procurement opportunities.

- Companies developing spacecraft autonomy, proximity operations, inspection, servicing, or debris-removal capabilities can use SSPICY’s planned mission activities to understand the technology areas NASA is testing; the signal does not identify an active bid opportunity.
- Because no contract value, solicitation, or award is announced, contractors should not treat the launch as a current procurement action. It does, however, indicate a mission area in which relevant technical capabilities may be useful for future NASA work.
- Inspection operations are expected to start in early 2027, giving industry stakeholders a concrete timeframe for the demonstration’s next operational phase.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- NASA Ames Research Center (Ames)
- NASA Research and Technology Mission Directorate (RTMD)
- NASA Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer program (SBIR/STTR)

### Vendors
- Starfish Space ()

### Sources
- [NASA’s SSPICY Mission to Demonstrate In-Space Inspection Technologies - NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/ames/nasas-sspicy-mission-to-demonstrate-in-space-inspection-technologies/) - NASA