SpaceX’s Starship To Launch Starlab, the First European Commercial Space Station

Starlab Space LLC, a collaboration between companies Voyager Space and Airbus, recently revealed that they have picked SpaceX to launch their commercial space station, named Starlab, into low-Earth orbit. SpaceX will use its reusable Starship transportation system, which can transport both cargo and crew to multiple destinations such as the Earth orbit, Mars, and the Moon, to launch Starlab in a single mission before the ISS is taken out of service. 

Voyager Space CEO and Chairman Dylan Taylor stated that they chose Starship to launch the station into orbit because of SpaceX’s impressive track record of success and dependability. According to Taylor, SpaceX is the unparalleled leader when it comes to frequent launches, and the Voyager Space team is honoured to have it launched into orbit by Starlab in one go. 

Overview of Starlab

Starlab is a space station that will be continuously manned and float freely, catering to an international customer base of space agencies, research workers, and firms. Its ultimate goal is to ensure the continued presence of humans in low-Earth orbit and a smooth changeover of microgravity research from the ISS to the new age of commercial space stations. As mentioned, it will be launched in a single flight, fully equipped on the ground, and prepared to take four people in low-Earth orbit to perform microgravity research and make advanced scientific discoveries. 

Tom Ochinero, Senior VP of Commercial Business at SpaceX, stated that the single-launch approach is a testament to what is possible, as well as how the future of commercial space is unfolding. Ochinero also revealed that launching Starlab will help sustain humanity’s presence in low-Earth orbit. 
Starlab has achieved several project milestones throughout the past year, such as completing the System Definition and Systems Requirements reviews, Human in the Loop (HITL) evaluations, and many others. Moreover, Starlab Space has recently announced an agreement with Northrop Grumman and plans to partner with the ESA. Other project associates include the Ohio State University and Hilton Hotels.

Project Milestones and Partnerships

Starlab has achieved several project milestones throughout the past year, such as completing the Ssytem Definition and Systems Requirements reviews, Human in the Loop (HITL) evaluations, and many others. Apart from Starlab Space’s agreement with Northrop Grumman and plans to partner with the ESA, other associates include Ohio State University and Hilton Hotels.