Starlab is the next step in commercial space stations, aiming to take over as America’s main low Earth orbit research outpost after the International Space Station retires. The design blends advanced habitats with strong science capabilities and a long operational life.
The main goal? Starlab wants to keep humans living and working in low Earth orbit once the ISS retires, which is supposed to happen by 2031. This station plans to serve NASA, international agencies, research groups, and private companies running microgravity experiments.
NASA gives Starlab a boost through Space Act Agreements as part of the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program. The agency hopes to become just one customer among many, not the main operator anymore.
Starlab focuses on science research, tech demonstrations, and commercial manufacturing in microgravity. It offers lab space for life sciences, materials studies, and Earth observation missions.
Private companies can finally try out manufacturing that’s impossible on Earth—think fiber optics and pharma research. With this commercial model, everyone gets a better deal compared to old-school government-run stations.
Starlab uses a big 8-meter-wide steel habitat module paired with a service module for power and propulsion. The whole thing launches in one go, which honestly just makes sense and keeps costs down.
The habitat shields crews from space debris and radiation for up to 30 years. That’s double the ISS lifespan, so research programs can run for the long haul.
The service module cranks out 60 kilowatts using advanced solar panels. Navigation, propulsion, and life support all keep things humming and the crew safe.
Inside, you’ll find crew quarters, labs, and storage. The 8-meter width gives way more room than ISS modules—bigger experiments, happier astronauts.
NASA Johnson Space Center houses a full-scale mockup for crew training and procedure work. Human-in-the-loop tests help iron out the design and workflows before launch.
Starlab brings some clear upgrades over the old ISS setup. Instead of piecing it together in orbit over years, the station launches as a single, ready-to-go unit.
Modern systems boost reliability and efficiency compared to ISS tech from the ’90s. With a 30-year design life, you won’t need to think about replacements anytime soon.
Commercial operation means costs get split among lots of customers, not just governments. That opens up LEO research to universities, startups, and partners worldwide.
The streamlined design cuts down on maintenance, so astronauts spend more time on science and business instead of fixing stuff.
Starlab’s commercial-first approach ditches the compromises of the ISS’s multi-purpose design. Every inch is optimized for research and post-ISS missions.
Starlab’s development depends on a web of international partnerships and joint ventures. What started as a single company proposal has grown into a global collaboration with top aerospace contractors from the US and Europe.
Back in October 2021, the Starlab project kicked off as a response to NASA’s Commercial LEO Destinations program. Nanoracks, Voyager Technologies, and Lockheed Martin teamed up with the goal of replacing the ISS.
By December 2021, NASA picked the Starlab team as one of three to get development funding. The agency handed out $160 million for the first phase, putting Starlab up against Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman.
The original blueprint called for an inflatable module with a docking node. Lockheed Martin planned to use tech from NASA’s canceled Transhab project for this.
But by 2023, the team ditched the inflatable idea. Safety worries made inflatable modules seem too risky for crew operations, so they switched to a solid metal module.
Now, Starlab Space LLC runs as an official joint venture between American and European companies. Voyager Technologies leads on the US side, mainly through Nanoracks.
Airbus Defence and Space joined in January 2023, bringing their know-how in building sturdy modules. This partnership also unlocked access to European Space Agency customers and funding.
By August 2023, the joint venture became official. Starlab Space LLC took over construction and operations, with Voyager Technologies and Airbus sharing ownership.
Mitsubishi Corporation adds international support with strategic investment. MDA brings its robotics chops for the station’s big robotic arm.
Each partner brings something unique to Starlab. Voyager Technologies manages the overall project and handles NASA relationships through Nanoracks.
Airbus takes on the main habitat module build, using tried-and-true metallic structure techniques. Their background with European modules means reliable manufacturing.
Northrop Grumman joined in October 2023 after dropping its own station plans. They’re working on autonomous docking systems for Cygnus resupply missions.
Hilton Worldwide shapes the interior design for crew living quarters. It’s a hospitality company, so they focus on making astronaut life more comfortable.
NASA stays involved with technical oversight and milestone reviews. The agency checks safety and validates system designs as things move forward.
NASA is shaking up its approach to low Earth orbit, moving away from government-owned stations and teaming up with private companies like Starlab. The agency now supports several commercial space stations through Space Act Agreements, getting ready for the ISS’s end.
The International Space Station is nearing retirement—probably around 2030. NASA started building new partnerships to keep humans in orbit, and Starlab is a big part of that plan.
NASA sees Starlab as a vital replacement for microgravity research. The station’s design combines a service module and habitat, both launched together.
Starlab stands out with:
This transition lines up with NASA’s bigger space goals. Commercial stations like Starlab let NASA focus more on deep space while keeping LEO research going.
Angela Hart, who manages NASA’s Commercial LEO Development Program, points out these partnerships push both human spaceflight and science forward.
NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program supports several station builders through competitive agreements. This setup encourages innovation and keeps options open.
Now, NASA is just one customer, not the main operator. Private companies own and run their stations, selling services to NASA and others.
Program perks:
NASA offers technical advice and lets teams use facilities like the Johnson Space Center’s Space Vehicle Mockup Facility for training and testing.
The agency checks progress with milestone reviews—design, safety, procurement, all that. This keeps commercial partners on track with spaceflight standards.
A bunch of commercial stations should spark a strong low Earth orbit economy for research, manufacturing, and even tourism.
NASA gave Starlab a Space Act Agreement in 2021 to support development with shared expertise instead of just contracts. These agreements let NASA and companies work together flexibly.
Starlab recently hit five big milestones under its agreement. Reviews covered early design, safety, mockup plans, and procurement.
Milestone highlights:
NASA uses both funded and unfunded agreements based on project needs. This way, private investment does the heavy lifting, but government expertise is still in play.
Agreements give companies access to NASA’s facilities, technical help, and review services. Starlab’s mockup facility at Johnson Space Center supports human-factors testing and procedure work.
Once designs are done, NASA plans to buy services through regular contracts. This shift turns the agency from operator to customer, cutting costs but keeping capabilities.
Starlab brings together global partners from big aerospace companies and space agencies. American and European expertise combine to build the next-gen commercial space station.
The European Space Agency plays a big role through its partnership with Airbus Defence and Space. This keeps European microgravity research alive after the ISS.
Airbus Defence and Space supplies technical design and engineering support for Starlab. Their decades of experience help ensure the station meets international safety standards.
ESA member states get to keep running experiments in low Earth orbit. European astronauts will have access to the commercial facility for research.
This partnership keeps US-European space ties strong, just like they’ve been for years. European researchers will still have microgravity opportunities after 2030.
MDA Space joined as a tech partner and equity owner. The Canadian company brings robotics and satellite servicing expertise.
Mitsubishi Corporation adds global reach, opening the door for Japanese research and business in Starlab.
The international partner network includes more than just NASA and ESA. These relationships build a worldwide customer base for commercial station services.
Palantir Technologies brings data analytics and operational tech, helping manage the tricky logistics of running a research outpost in space.
Starlab’s architecture revolves around a single-launch strategy. The team plans to send a full rigid metallic module into orbit, combining a service module with Airbus’s pressurized LOOP habitat tech for a complete spacecraft.
Starlab ditches the old multi-launch assembly method. Instead, it puts the whole station in orbit in one mission. That means no years of complex construction in space.
Launching everything together slashes mission complexity and costs. The old way needed multiple launches, spacewalks, and a ton of assembly time.
Starlab’s design fits inside one rocket’s payload bay. Both the service module and habitat travel as a single unit.
This means the station gets up and running much faster. Once it reaches orbit, it’s basically ready to go—not months away from being usable.
Fewer launches also mean fewer chances for things to go wrong. Honestly, it just seems like the smarter move for this new era of space stations.
Starlab goes with a rigid metallic module design, skipping the inflatable habitat ideas. That choice really bumps up safety and durability for long-term use.
Metal construction shields the station better from space debris and micrometeorite hits. The rigid walls keep the pressurized volume steady—no worrying about expansion or shrinking.
The metallic structure holds several docking ports for visiting spacecraft. These connection points take the brunt of docking operations without issue.
Engineers mount internal systems right onto the rigid frame. That setup lets them place life support, research gear, and crew quarters exactly where they want.
With metal construction, the station holds pressure reliably for years. Fabric-based designs just don’t last as long; metal wins for longevity.
Airbus brings its LOOP module tech to the table as Starlab’s main habitat. This European company really knows its stuff when it comes to spacecraft design.
The LOOP module gives the station its main pressurized volume for the crew. Astronauts eat, sleep, work, and relax in this section.
Airbus designed the module with ergonomics in mind, thinking about those long missions. The interior layout squeezes out as much usable space as possible while still keeping things comfortable.
Advanced life support systems—built on Airbus’s experience—run the show inside. They handle atmosphere, recycle water, and process waste, all on autopilot.
LOOP technology packs in specialized research facilities. Scientists can run experiments in everything from materials science to biology.
Starlab depends on three main technical systems to keep things running and science moving. The service module supplies power and propulsion, standardized docking ports let multiple spacecraft visit, and advanced robotics take care of tricky station operations.
The service module packs Starlab’s power generation and propulsion into one compact spot. Solar arrays unfold from this module, catching sunlight and turning it into electricity for everything onboard.
The propulsion system keeps Starlab at the right altitude and orientation. Thrusters fire off small bursts to nudge the station back when it drifts from atmospheric drag or gravity.
Power distribution systems send electricity from the solar panels to every part of the station. Backup batteries in the service module store extra energy for those times when Starlab passes through Earth’s shadow.
This integrated design means the whole station can launch in one go. That’s a lot simpler than piecing together modules from separate launches.
Starlab sports several docking ports that link up with different kinds of spacecraft. The metallic docking node acts as the main doorway for visitors.
Cygnus spacecraft from Northrop Grumman bring cargo and supplies. These automated vehicles dock on their own and hang around for a few weeks before heading home.
Commercial crew vehicles also dock with Starlab, carrying astronauts to and from the station. The docking ports follow international standards, so they work with a variety of spacecraft.
Each port comes with power hookups and data lines. Visiting vehicles tap into the station’s power and connect with ground control through Starlab’s systems.
MDA Space supplies the big robotic arm for Starlab. This arm moves cargo and handles payloads outside the station.
It grabs visiting spacecraft and helps guide them to the docking ports. The arm also shifts equipment and experiments around on the station’s exterior.
Automation systems keep an eye on life support, power, and other vital functions. They warn the crew about any issues and can make automatic tweaks when necessary.
The robotic systems take care of routine tasks, lightening the load for astronauts. That way, the crew can focus on research instead of endless maintenance.
Starlab moves through a gauntlet of tests to make sure astronauts stay safe and everything works as planned. Full-scale mockups at Johnson Space Center and tough design reviews push the station through each milestone, from requirements validation to integrated lab testing.
Starlab built a full-scale, high-fidelity mockup at NASA Johnson Space Center’s Space Vehicle Mockup Facility in Texas. This detailed replica is the main stage for testing crew operations and fine-tuning the interior.
The mockup lets teams run human-in-the-loop testing with real people acting out daily routines. Testers try out living spaces, work areas, and emergency drills, picking up on design tweaks before the real thing gets built.
NASA and Starlab engineers use the mockup for crew training development and validating procedures. They test out where equipment goes, how storage works, and what workflows astronauts will face on actual missions.
The Texas Space Commission calls this testing phase crucial for commercial space station progress. Johnson Space Center’s deep experience in human spaceflight gives Starlab solid feedback on making the crew interface better.
Starlab wrapped up its Systems Requirements Review (SRR) under the NASA Space Act Agreement from 2021. This review checked the station’s technical specs and operational needs against the mission’s goals.
Next up is the Critical Design Review (CDR), which marks a big step in Starlab’s timeline. The CDR checks if the design’s ready before teams start building flight hardware.
NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program runs these reviews. Each one gives NASA a look at Starlab’s technical progress and how ready it is for space.
The early design and safety review covered the station’s layout, power, and life support. Engineers confirmed that Starlab’s two-module setup meets the structural and operational needs for a single-launch build.
Starlab runs a Systems Integration Lab where engineers check how subsystems work together. The lab tests whether different parts play nice before they go into the final station.
This facility puts power distribution, environmental controls, and communication networks through their paces. Engineers simulate space conditions to make sure everything holds up under orbital stress.
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus docking system goes through integration testing here. These tests confirm that cargo vehicles and Starlab’s docking ports work together as planned.
System integration covers crew quarters, solar array deployment, and internal equipment mounting. Each round of testing builds confidence that the station will be ready for people.
Starlab runs as a commercial space platform, serving all sorts of customers—government, academic, and private. The station aims for a self-sustaining business model by mixing revenue streams and building international partnerships.
Starlab offers advanced microgravity research facilities in its science module. The George Washington Carver Science Park inside the station packs in specialized lab gear for biotech, materials science, and pharmaceutical research.
Key Research Infrastructure:
The station supports both automated and crew-run experiments. Scientists can run studies that need months of microgravity.
Starlab Space teams up with research institutions to build new experiment protocols. The platform welcomes both basic research and commercial product development.
Palantir Technologies brings AI-powered data analysis to boost research productivity. With digital twin tech, researchers can fine-tune experiments before launch.
Starlab hosts government space agencies as anchor tenants. NASA plans to run astronaut missions and research here, and international partners will use the station for their own projects.
Primary Customer Categories:
Commercial customers pay for research time, equipment, and crew help. The station supports both quick experiments and long-term research.
Schools like The Ohio State University get research access through educational partnerships. These deals help students and faculty dive into space projects.
Private companies that want to manufacture in microgravity are a growing group. The unique environment lets them try production methods that just don’t work on Earth.
Starlab plugs into the wider space ecosystem with cargo resupply services and crew transport. Northrop Grumman handles regular cargo runs using Cygnus spacecraft that dock themselves.
The station links up with ground infrastructure and mission control. Partnerships with European, Japanese, and Canadian aerospace companies open up global markets.
Integration Elements:
Starlab Space works with launch providers, spacecraft makers, and ground support. This ecosystem model keeps costs down and reliability up.
The platform helps develop new space tech for the whole industry. Research on Starlab pushes our understanding of long missions, paving the way for deeper space travel.
Commercial crew vehicles will bring astronauts and researchers to the station. Having multiple transport options means customers always have access.
Starlab puts people first, teaming up with hospitality experts and experience agencies to make comfortable living spaces. The station’s crew quarters are specially designed, with a focus on well-being for long missions.
Starlab’s crew quarters get a real boost from partnerships with hospitality giants. Hilton brings its hotel know-how to design sleeping areas that feel more like cozy rooms and less like cold compartments.
The station supports diverse crews with flexible living spaces. Teams test out different layouts in full-scale mockups, getting feedback from retired NASA astronauts and operations pros.
Crew rotation schedules improve thanks to better living conditions. When astronauts feel at home, they handle long missions much better.
The quarters feature:
Testing shows that good living spaces cut crew stress. That’s a big deal for mission success and health.
Starlab teams up with Hilton and Journey, an experience agency, to rethink space interiors. These companies bring real-world hospitality skills into orbit.
Journey, known for the Las Vegas Sphere, focuses on how spaces actually make people feel. Their work aims to create station environments that support astronauts’ well-being.
The partnership covers practical stuff like meal prep areas and recreation spaces. Hilton’s experience helps design layouts that squeeze the most out of limited space.
This collaboration signals a new direction for human spaceflight design. Old-school stations put function first, but Starlab tries to balance comfort and efficiency.
The teams go beyond basics, working on lighting, color, and how spaces flow, all to lower stress in tight quarters.
Starlab’s design brings together safety systems and comfort features in a pretty seamless way. The team runs a ton of Human Systems Integration tests to make sure every safety protocol actually does what it’s supposed to.
Crew quarters give people access to emergency gear without making them sacrifice privacy or comfort. Each sleeping area links up with several escape routes and has emergency oxygen supplies close by.
Testers put real people in mockup habitats for weeks at a time. Astronauts from the European Space Agency jump in and share feedback on both safety procedures and daily routines.
Habitability features help the crew deal with isolation. They use natural lighting cycles to keep circadian rhythms on track, and there are private spaces so folks can talk to family back on Earth.
Air quality systems keep oxygen levels steady and pull out any contaminants. Crew members can tweak the temperature in their own quarters, but the system still keeps the whole station running efficiently.
Starlab Space is in a fast-moving market, and honestly, it’s a bit of a race to replace the International Space Station before it retires. The company faces some tough competition from big aerospace players, but its international partnership strategy stands out.
Voyager Space, Airbus, and Mitsubishi Corporation teamed up to form Starlab Space as an international joint venture. That partnership gives them a real global angle on space station development.
Starlab Space landed NASA funding in 2021 through the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program. NASA wants to shift from being the only operator to just one of many customers.
Key Market Advantages:
They recently hit five major development milestones, including design reviews and safety checks that show real progress to NASA.
Starlab will launch as a complete unit, with both habitat and service modules together. This is pretty different from other stations that need multiple launches and lots of assembly.
Axiom Station seems to be leading the pack, with modules already in development. Axiom plans to start by attaching modules to the International Space Station, then go independent.
Orbital Reef is a joint effort between Blue Origin and Sierra Space, with Boeing lending some engineering muscle. They’re aiming for a mixed-use station for both government and commercial clients.
Redwire is involved in several station projects, providing manufacturing and research expertise across platforms.
Competitive Positioning:
| Station | Lead Companies | Launch Strategy | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starlab | Voyager Space/Airbus | Single launch | AI-enabled, international |
| Axiom Station | Axiom Space | Modular assembly | ISS-attached initially |
| Orbital Reef | Blue Origin/Sierra Space | Multiple launches | Mixed-use platform |
Starlab’s international setup opens doors with European and Japanese space agencies. That global reach means they’re not as dependent on NASA as some US-based rivals.
Starlab is taking the direct route with its single-launch deployment plan and automated systems. The team skips all the complicated orbital assembly by sending up the whole station in one go.
With its “no assembly required” approach, Starlab stands apart from older stations like the ISS. The whole thing goes up as a single unit, not as a bunch of modules.
The integrated design features a big habitation and lab module attached to a smaller service module. Both launch together on one rocket to low Earth orbit.
This method slashes both complexity and costs. The old way took dozens of launches and tricky assembly work in space.
Chances are, SpaceX Starship will handle Starlab’s launch. The huge payload bay and cargo space fit the integrated station pretty well.
Other heavy-lift rockets could do the job if they have enough capacity. The main thing is getting both modules up there together.
As soon as Starlab reaches orbit and separates from the rocket, automated systems kick in. The core station systems arrive pre-installed and tested before launch.
Solar arrays deploy from the service module right away, powering up everything on board, including life support.
Communication systems connect with ground control within the first orbit. That way, mission teams can keep an eye on all the commissioning steps as they happen.
Automated transfer vehicles will dock with Starlab early on to bring extra supplies and gear. These cargo runs help bridge the gap between automated startup and when the crew arrives.
The station goes through a full round of system checks before letting anyone board. They verify life support, guidance, and lab equipment.
Human crews only board after all safety systems pass certification. The automated phase usually takes a few weeks before astronauts come aboard.
Starlab is aiming for a 30-year design life, which could make it a real anchor for commercial space operations. That opens the door for more research and keeps people in orbit for the long haul.
Starlab wants to fill the gap after the International Space Station retires. The design supports continuous human habitation for three decades, which should bring some stability to space exploration and business in orbit.
The station will welcome more than just NASA crews. Commercial teams can run long research missions, and private companies will finally get access to microgravity for manufacturing and experiments.
AI-enabled systems help cut operational costs compared to the old-school stations. Automated features handle routine maintenance, freeing up the crew for research and commercial work.
Key operational capabilities include:
The project helps keep America at the forefront of commercial space. International partnerships also widen access to low-Earth orbit labs.
Commercial stations like Starlab could kick off new markets for space-based industries. Pharma companies might develop new drugs in microgravity, and zero gravity could change how we manufacture things.
Research will cover a lot of ground. Medical teams can study bone loss and muscle atrophy, while materials scientists look for stronger alloys and better electronics.
The station will support commercial crew training too. Private astronauts can get ready for deep space, and space tourism companies might use Starlab for longer trips.
Research focus areas include:
Commercial partnerships will keep pushing space technology forward. Companies can test gear in orbit before sending it to the Moon or Mars, which should cut down on risks.
The space exploration and aeronautics research fund backs ongoing commercial station development. That investment helps America keep its edge in space science and business.
Starlab space station is set to be a next-gen commercial facility, with advanced interior design, tight development timelines, and a unique spot in the commercial space market. The Houston-based project also brings investment opportunities and career paths, and stands apart from other space station efforts.
Starlab uses a modular setup—a service module and habitat launch together in one flight. The station has crew quarters, docking ports, and solar arrays built for commercial operations.
They’re building a full-scale mockup at NASA Johnson Space Center’s Space Vehicle Mockup Facility. This hands-on replica lets engineers test the interior layout with real people.
The interior is all about supporting science and commercial activities. The layout fits daily crew life, gear storage, and labs for microgravity research.
Starlab Space hasn’t shared a public launch date yet. They’re following NASA’s commercial station schedule, aiming to be up and running before the ISS retires.
Development made it through preliminary design reviews in 2024. Now, they’re moving into detailed design and hardware phases, with the next big reviews on the calendar.
NASA is backing several commercial station projects under its Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program. The agency plans to become a customer once these stations are ready.
Starlab Space calls Houston, Texas home. The main office is right in this big aerospace city, close to NASA Johnson Space Center and a whole network of space industry folks.
The organization is a joint venture between international partners. Voyager Technologies is the main stakeholder, and Airbus brings European aerospace know-how.
Starlab Space is a private venture between Voyager Technologies, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, and MDA Space. You can’t buy shares of Starlab Space directly on public markets.
Airbus trades on European exchanges as AIR. Mitsubishi Corporation is on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, so you can get indirect exposure to Starlab by investing in these bigger aerospace players.
If you want to invest in space, you might look at publicly traded aerospace companies involved in commercial station projects. Just remember, those investments come with risks beyond just Starlab.
Starlab Space needs aerospace engineers, systems integration pros, and space operations folks. They’re looking for people with experience in spacecraft design, life support, and commercial space work.
Jobs cover a bunch of areas—mechanical and electrical engineering, software, mission ops, you name it. Being in Houston helps, since there’s a deep pool of aerospace talent and NASA contractors nearby.
The joint venture gives people international career options, thanks to Airbus and other partners. There’s also a chance to work with some of the most advanced commercial space station tech out there.
Starlab launches everything together—both the service module and habitat go up as a single, integrated unit in one flight. That’s a pretty big shift from the modular construction style that other commercial space station developers usually pick.
They put a lot of effort into user-driven design, aiming to make commercial research and operations easier for everyone. Starlab Space wants to build a platform that really fits commercial customers, not just government missions.
NASA backs Starlab with a $217.5 million Space Act Agreement, which puts it right in the mix with other commercial space station projects. Each team seems to have its own technical quirks and market strategies for low Earth orbit, so it’ll be interesting to see how things shake out.
