Starfish Space Completes an Autonomous RPO in LEO.

The episode’s headline moment was Starfish Space’s autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) in low‑Earth orbit. Using Impulse Space’s Mira platform, Starfish’s Cetacean computer‑vision software processed live camera feeds to estimate relative position, compute optimal trajectories, and fire thrusters in a closed‑loop system. The spacecraft approached a partner Mira vehicle to within roughly 1,250 meters, proving that real‑time navigation and guidance can be fully automated—an essential step toward satellite servicing, inspection, and life‑extension missions that could reduce debris and extend asset value.

Beyond the RPO milestone, the briefing covered several industry shifts. Rocket Lab delivered JAXA’s RAISE‑4 payload, showcasing eight Japanese technologies and marking the first dedicated launch for the agency’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration program. Mission Space announced a second hosted payload with Rogue Space, expanding its high‑temporal‑resolution radiation monitoring network. Virgin Galactic teamed with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to test next‑generation high‑altitude imaging, while the U.S. Space Force signaled a strategic pivot by planning the RGXX constellation—commercially sourced satellites owned and operated by the service, diverging from a partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office. These moves illustrate a broader trend toward commercial‑driven, modular architectures for national‑security and scientific missions.

The closing segment highlighted the ISS National Lab’s contract renewal through 2030, cementing its role as a hub for over 100 payloads in 2025—a record year. The Lab’s Orbital Edge Accelerator program funded six startups, linking private investment to in‑space research. With more than 75 peer‑reviewed publications and collaborations spanning private astronaut missions and international resupply flights, the ISS continues to generate high‑impact science and commercial opportunities. Looking ahead to 2026, stakeholders anticipate expanded in‑space manufacturing, advanced biomedical experiments, and new cargo vehicle options, underscoring the accelerating momentum of the low‑Earth‑orbit economy.