SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04
Motiv Space Systems logo Motiv Space Systems Designs and manufactures robotic arms, motor controllers, and mechanisms for space missions including Mars rovers, on-orbit servicing, and lunar exploration vs Starfish Space Develops autonomous satellite servicing vehicles using electric propulsion for life extension, disposal, and on-orbit maneuvering Starfish Space logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
Motiv Space Systems Starfish Space
Founded 2014 2019
Headquarters California Tukwila, Washington
Type private private
Status operating operating
Employees 31 75
Total funding — $70M
Latest round — Series A
Sectors Satellite Components & Subsystems, In-Orbit Servicing & Assembly, Lunar Services In-Orbit Servicing & Assembly, Space Propulsion, Space Sustainability & Debris Removal
Products listed 14 6
Federal contracts — —
Launches — —
Leaders listed Chris Thayer, Brett Lindenfeld, Tom McCarthy Austin Link, Trevor Bennett, Ari Juster
News mentions 0 0
SHARED SECTORS
In-Orbit Servicing & Assembly
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do Motiv Space Systems and Starfish Space compare?

Both companies work in In-Orbit Servicing & Assembly. Motiv Space Systems was founded in 2014 and Starfish Space in 2019.

Which is larger, Motiv Space Systems or Starfish Space?

Starfish Space reports the larger workforce, with 75 employees versus 31.

Numbers refresh on every render against the live Space Index database. Federal contract data from USAspending.gov; launches from LaunchLibrary2.