Airbus Enters Race To Develop International Space Station’s Successor

Voyager Space and Airbus Defence and Space have joined forces to bring us ‘Starlab’, a commercial space station set to follow in the footsteps of the International Space Station (ISS), which is shuttering in 2030. This transatlantic joint venture unites American and European interests in space exploration, with Voyager Space and Airbus contributing their expertise to create a new chapter in space history.

The collaboration between Voyager Space and Airbus aims to cater to the increasing demand from global space agencies and create opportunities for commercial users.

Starlab’s development received a boost when Voyager Space secured a US$160 million Space Act Agreement (SAA) in December 2021 after it became one of three designs selected by NASA. The funding is intended to bring to life a continuously crewed, free-flying space station that will serve NASA and other global customers.

At the core of Starlab’s mission is maintaining human presence in low-Earth orbit (LEO). As a testament to their commitment, Voyager Space and Airbus completed a major design milestone in June 2023, the Systems Requirements Review (SRR).

NASA stated that it would like to have one commercial space station up in orbit before the ISS retires. If Starlab is approved, it will aid NASA in performing deep space exploration and human missions to Mars.

While the joint venture has achieved crucial milestones, its full realization awaits regulatory approvals. Once approved, Starlab’s vision of an advanced and collaborative space station will come closer to becoming a reality, representing a new era in space exploration and research.

[via Robb Report and TechCrunch, cover image via Airbus]