Starlab (Voyager Space, Airbus)

Founded
Country
2019
USA
Funding
$177M+
Website
https://starlab-space.com/
Social
Starlab (Voyager Space, Airbus)

Product/Service - Starlab

Classification
Space Stations & Habitats
Category
Commercial Space Station
Status
Development
First launch
2028
Partners
Nanoracks, Hilton, Voyager Space, Airbus

Starlab is planned to be the first continuously crewed, free-flying commercial space station. Leveraging innovative – yet known – technologies, Starlab will be a new-era global space platform dedicated to conducting advanced research, fostering industrial activity, and innovating in ways once only imagined.

Voyager and Nanoracks are excited to announce that our first Outpost demonstration mission (Outpost Mars Demo-1) is expected to launch this month aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 5 rideshare flight.

Hotel giant Hilton has signed on to design astronaut facilities for the private space station Starlab currently under development by Voyager Space Holdings and Lockheed Martin.

Voyager Space announced that it has signed on Airbus as a partner for Starlab, a free-flying LEO outpost planned to be launched in 2028. Airbus Defense and Space will provide design support and technical expertise for the space station, which is under development.

The focus of Starlab will be on research applications, rather than tourism. The station is designed to fit on a single launch, outfitted on the ground with all the research equipment needed for its customers. “All the things that ISS does is what we’re focused on being able to continue, but with more modern equipment, technologies and capabilities.”

That research interest is coming from both government agencies and companies, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. The companies are looking at ways to allow customers to start work on facilities they operate on the ISS today, like the Airbus Bartolomeo external payload facility and Nanoracks Bishop airlock, then shift that work to Starlab.

Announcing Two Starlab Demo Missions, 2023-12-07

NASA’s Commercial Partners Continue Progress on New Space Stations, 2023-12-12.

Starlab commercial space station to launch on Starship, SpaceNews, 2024-01-31

Mitsubishi takes stake in Starlab Space, SpaceNews, 2024-04-05.

In May 2024, Announced an agreement with The Exploration Company which covers three cargo missions to and from Starlab on the Nyx vehicle that The Exploration Company is developing.

MDA Space joins Starlab Space commercial space station venture, 2024-05-29.

Status Comment / Notes

Voyager Space and Airbus Finalize Starlab Space LLC Joint Venture, 2023-01-09.

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