Starlab Space, a rising aerospace outfit, is preparing to launch a new space station that aims to symbolize international peace and camaraderie amidst the turmoil on Earth. The station, known as Starlab Space Station, is designed to serve as a habitat and science lab for astronauts from around the world to conduct experiments and deploy imaging satellites while orbiting the planet at high speeds. Starlab Space is a joint venture between U.S.-based Voyager Space and Europe’s Airbus, with plans to replace the International Space Station when it is decommissioned in 2031.
The American co-founders of Starlab Space are optimistic about the potential for international cooperation on their station, having already forged partnerships with the European Space Agency, Mitsubishi Corporation, and MDA. NASA has granted Voyager $217 million to develop Starlab as part of their plan to continue the spirit of international collaboration from the ISS on independent stations in the future. However, the ongoing threats from the Kremlin, including the development of nuclear-armed spacecraft, risk disruption of the peaceful ecosystem in low Earth orbit.
General Thomas Ayres, Chief Legal Officer at Starlab Space and a co-founder of the U.S. Space Force, warns of the potential dangers posed by Russia’s aggressive actions in space, including the possibility of nuclear warfare or attacks on satellites. He emphasizes the need for clear red lines and a strong response to any threats to U.S. assets in space. Despite the current tensions, Jeffrey Manber, President of International and Space Stations at Voyager Space, believes that crewed space stations like Starlab could serve as a deterrent against impulsive attacks on low Earth orbit assets.
Manber draws on his experience working with the Russian space agency during the post-Cold War era to highlight the role of the ISS in fostering international cooperation and potentially deterring hostile activities in space. He envisions Starlab as a continuation of this mission, with the goal of promoting peace and unity through collaborative space exploration. Dylan Taylor, Voyager CEO and Chairman, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the ISS’s legacy as a symbol of peace and unity that Starlab hopes to uphold and enhance.
The partnership between Starlab and the European Space Agency represents a significant step towards the station’s launch in 2028, with ESA astronauts slated to visit and conduct research on the station. Starlab also aims to attract NASA, Canadian, and Japanese astronauts to further expand its international reach. With plans to launch aboard SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft, Starlab Space Station envisions a future where multiple space stations work together to maintain peace and prosperity in low Earth orbit. The vision of a constellation of peace-promoting space stations offers a hopeful outlook for the future of space exploration and cooperation.
