Alan Boyle
By Alan
See all 9Seattle Space Week spotlights rapid growth and key challenges for Washington’s space industry amid launch shortages and regional competition
Seattle Space Week brought industry leaders together to discuss the Pacific Northwest’s booming but challenged space sector, highlighting rapid economic growth alongside concerns that Washington risks falling behind other regions due to issues like a shrinking launch market and infrastructure gaps.
Starfish Space to Launch 660‑lb Otter on SpaceX Transporter‑18 Oct. 1 for NASA’s $15M SSPICY Satellite‑Inspection Mission
Starfish Space will launch its full-size Otter on SpaceX's Transporter-18 no earlier than Oct. 1 from Vandenberg to demonstrate close-up inspection of inoperable satellites for NASA’s $15 million SSPICY mission; the 660-pound vehicle follows two prototype tests and will approach selected decommissioned satellites after commissioning. The company says Otter is built, has a customer and mission, and insights will inform future servicing operations.
Interlune raises $5M SAFE to fund lunar infrastructure and helium-3 mining ahead of priced round
Seattle-based Interlune raised $5 million via a SAFE to fund development of lunar infrastructure and mining technologies, marking a second $5M SAFE after an earlier round this year. The startup, founded in 2020 and led by CEO Rob Meyerson, is expanding from helium-3 extraction into space infrastructure and survival services and has partnerships such as an expanded deal with Vermeer for lunar construction tools.
