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NASA has launched the SSPICY mission to test the Otter spacecraft’s autonomous approach to and inspection of inactive U.S.-origin space objects without docking with them. The mission combines computer vision, sensing and electric propulsion, paving the way for future orbital servicing and debris-removal services.
Vessev tested its VS-9 electric ferry, which lifts its hull above the water’s surface using computer-controlled hydrofoils to reduce drag and improve operational efficiency. The company is targeting the technology for urban transport, hotels, and sightseeing tours, but it remains limited to relatively calm waters and wave heights.