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Initial ventures towards a future space station

Space Expedition of 1998: Launch of the International Space Station marks beginning of occupation by astronauts, contributing to medical progress and addressing various challenges.

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Future's Space Station initial advancements unveiled
Future's Space Station initial advancements unveiled

Initial ventures towards a future space station

Starlab Space Station: A New Era of Human Presence in Low-Earth Orbit

The Starlab space station, a groundbreaking commercial space station, is set to launch as early as 2028, ensuring a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and continuing scientific research as the International Space Station (ISS) phases out. This next-generation space station is a collaborative project between Airbus Defence and Space and Voyager Space, aimed at developing a space station for international astronauts [1][2][3][4].

The Starlab project is designed to engage customer support, with a focus on creating a well-being-focused living and working environment for astronauts. The station will be launched fully assembled on a single SpaceX Starship flight. It consists of a service module for power and propulsion and a habitat module for astronauts, featuring about half the habitable volume of the ISS but aiming to match its scientific capacity [1][5].

Key features of Starlab include a habitat module 26 feet (8 meters) in diameter with a pressurized volume of 16,000 cubic feet (450 cubic meters). It also boasts a 60 kW propulsion element for orbit maintenance and maneuvering, a robotic arm for external payload handling and servicing, and multiple docking ports for visiting spacecraft, supported by Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus for cargo logistics [1][5].

By mid-2025, Starlab completed five major design and safety reviews under a NASA Space Act Agreement from 2021, including preliminary design reviews and a spacecraft mockup for human-in-the-loop testing at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. It is now moving into detailed design and hardware development, targeting a critical design review later in 2025 to confirm design maturity before building and assembly [2][4][5].

The goal of Starlab is to enable a commercial marketplace in LEO, supporting researchers, space agencies, and companies, while providing a well-being-focused living and working environment for astronauts. Starlab is intended to inspire international participation and engage customer support for its inspiring project [3].

Airbus Defence and Space is collaborating with Voyager Space to design the next space station for NASA, ESA, and other customers. The vision of Airbus is to serve the scientific community and create a better future for humanity in space and on Earth. Starlab could serve as a foundation for continued international cooperation in space and accelerate a sustainable ecosystem in space [3].

NASA is planning to transition away from the ISS towards a new generation of continuously crewed, free-flying space stations. The ISS, launched in 1998 and inhabited by astronauts since, is expected to be deorbited towards the end of this decade, as it has already surpassed its original lifespan of 15 years. Research conducted on the ISS is crucial for our journey to the Moon, Mars, and exploring the universe [6].

Starlab, with its advanced infrastructure, is designed to provide the same payload capacity as the International Space Station and conduct over 400 experiments or technical investigations per year. It could contribute to a better future for humanity, both in space and on Earth [7].

Jean-Marc Nasr, Executive Vice President of Space Systems, expressed excitement about partnering with Voyager Space on the Starlab project. Airbus's goal is to create an infrastructure that benefits both space exploration and Earth, focusing on creating an advanced infrastructure in space [8].

References:

[1] Airbus and Voyager Space Announce Starlab Space Station. (2021, December 7). Airbus. https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2021/12/airbus-and-voyager-space-announce-starlab-space-station.html

[2] Starlab Space Station. (n.d.). Airbus. https://www.airbus.com/space/products/starlab-space-station.html

[3] Starlab: the next step in human space exploration. (2021, December 7). Voyager Space. https://voyagerspace.com/press-releases/starlab-the-next-step-in-human-space-exploration

[4] Starlab Space Station. (n.d.). Voyager Space. https://www.voyagerspace.com/starlab

[5] Starlab Space Station. (n.d.). Northrop Grumman. https://www.northropgrumman.com/products-services/space/space-exploration/starlab/

[6] NASA's International Space Station. (n.d.). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html

[7] Starlab Space Station. (n.d.). Airbus. https://www.airbus.com/sites/default/files/2022-04/Starlab-Space-Station-Factsheet.pdf

[8] Airbus and Voyager Space Announce Starlab Space Station. (2021, December 7). SpaceNews. https://spacenews.com/airbus-and-voyager-space-announce-starlab-space-station/

  1. The Starlab space station, a collaborative project between Airbus Defence and Space and Voyager Space, is designed to advance scientific research in space-and-astronomy, particularly in low-Earth orbit (LEO), as it aims to match the scientific capacity of the International Space Station (ISS).
  2. By operating in low-Earth orbit, the Starlab space station is expected to contribute significantly to science and technology, as it offers the potential for over 400 experiments or technical investigations per year, supporting a commercial marketplace for researchers, space agencies, and companies.

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