Voyager Space (Voyager), a global leader in space exploration, and Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus), the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, announced a agreement paving the way for a transatlantic joint venture (JV) to develop, build, and operate Starlab, a commercial space station planned to succeed the International Space Station.
Noteworthy, the US-led joint venture will bring together world-class leaders in the space domain, while further uniting American and European interests in space exploration.
Voyager was awarded a $160 million Space Act Agreement (SAA) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in December 2021 via Nanoracks, part of Voyager’s exploration segment.
Part of NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, this SAA sets the foundation to create Starlab, a continuously crewed, free-flying space station to serve NASA and a global customer base of space agencies and researchers.
The program’s mission is to maintain continued human presence and American leadership in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
Further, this JV announcement builds on an agreement made public in January 2023, where Voyager selected Airbus to provide technical design support and expertise for Starlab.
In addition to the US entity, Starlab will have a European joint venture subsidiary to directly serve the European Space Agency (ESA) and its member state space agencies.
This announcement follows a major design milestone in Starlab’s development, the Systems Requirements Review (SRR), which baselines the major space systems, technical readiness, and ability to meet NASA’s mission and safety requirements.
The Starlab SRR, was completed in June 2023 in coordination with NASA’s Commercial LEO Development Program team.
The implementation of the joint venture will be subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
About Airbus
Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services.
In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services.
Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world’s leading space businesses.
In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.
About Voyager Space
Voyager Space is dedicated to building a better future for humanity in space and on Earth.
With over 35 years of spaceflight heritage and over 2,000 successful missions, Voyager is powering the commercial space revolution. Voyager delivers exploration, technology, and defense solutions to a global customer base that includes civil and national security agencies, commercial companies, academic and research institutions, and more.
