In a groundbreaking move, Voyager Space (Voyager) and Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus) have officially announced a collaborative agreement that will propel the development of Starlab, a cutting-edge commercial space station aimed to succeed the International Space Station (ISS). This transatlantic joint venture is set to redefine the landscape of space exploration and bring together two global leaders in the field of aerospace.
“We are proud to charter the future of space stations with Airbus. The International Space Station is widely regarded as the most successful platform for global cooperation in space history, and we are committed to building on this legacy as we move forward with Starlab. We are establishing this joint venture to reliably meet the known demand from global space agencies while opening new opportunities for commercial users,” according to Matthew Kuta, President at Voyager Space.
Voyager, renowned as a leading force in space exploration, was granted a remarkable US$160M Space Act Agreement (SAA) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) back in December 2021, through their subsidiary Nanoracks. As part of NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, this agreement laid the foundation for the creation of Starlab, an ambitious continuously crewed, free-flying space station, designed to cater not only to NASA but also to a wide array of global customers, including various space agencies and researchers. The ultimate goal is to maintain a sustained human presence in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and to reinforce American leadership in this domain.
This recent announcement represents a significant step forward in the development of Starlab, building upon a prior agreement made public in January 2023, where Voyager selected Airbus to provide critical technical design support and expertise for the ambitious project.
“With a track record of innovation and technological firsts, Airbus prides itself on partnering with companies that are looking to change history. This transatlantic venture with footprints on both sides of the ocean aligns the interests of both ourselves and Voyager and our respective space agencies. This pioneers continued European and American leadership in space that takes humanity forward. Together our teams are focused on creating an unmatched space destination both technologically and as a business operation,” said Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems at Airbus.
The venture also includes plans to establish a European joint venture subsidiary to cater directly to the European Space Agency (ESA) and its member state space agencies. This strategic move will further strengthen the collaboration between American and European interests in space exploration, fostering a new era of international cooperation in the cosmos.
Starlab achieved a major milestone in its development with the successful completion of the Systems Requirements Review (SRR) in June 2023. This essential assessment evaluated the major space systems’ technical readiness and their ability to meet NASA’s rigorous mission and safety requirements.
While this announcement is undoubtedly a momentous occasion, the successful implementation of the joint venture is contingent upon securing all necessary regulatory approvals. However, with Voyager and Airbus joining forces, the future of Starlab appears brighter than ever before, promising exciting prospects for space exploration and further strengthening the bonds between nations on both sides of the Atlantic.