Advancing towards the future space station
Preparations are underway for the launch of a groundbreaking space station, Starlab, scheduled for 2028 aboard SpaceX's Starship. This ambitious project, a collaboration between Airbus Defence and Space and Voyager Space, is poised to replace the International Space Station (ISS) and offer advanced habitat and research capabilities.
Timeline and Development
Starlab has already passed five key development and design milestones as of mid-2025, and detailed design and hardware development are now underway. The project aims for a critical design review by the end of 2025. With its planned launch in 2028, Starlab is on track to become a pivotal next-generation orbital outpost.
Purpose and Partnerships
Starlab's primary purpose is to replace the ISS, which is expected to retire in the coming years. By offering advanced habitat and research capabilities, Starlab aims to support Moon and Mars exploration activities by testing operations and technologies in orbit. The design process includes creating a full-scale mockup at Johnson Space Center for human-in-the-loop testing, crew training, procedural development, and hardware validation.
Airbus Defence and Space, Voyager Space, and design agency Journey are collaborating to create a cutting-edge, crew-friendly environment. This collaboration reflects Starlab's ambition to support broader human space exploration goals beyond low Earth orbit, including supporting activities related to lunar surface exploration and Mars missions.
Contributions to Mars and Moon Exploration
Starlab is designed to serve as a platform for developing technologies and operations critical to deep space missions. By providing a livable, innovative environment for astronauts, it will facilitate research in space habitation, life support, and operational procedures relevant to longer-duration missions.
Expanding International Participation
Starlab aims to expand international participation and customer support. This could provide a foundation for continued international cooperation in space, building upon the success of the ISS, which was launched in 1998 and has been inhabited by astronauts since.
Starlab's Capabilities
Starlab is designed to provide 100% of the International Space Station's payload capacity. This capability, coupled with its potential to conduct over 400 experiments or technical investigations per year, makes Starlab an invaluable resource for the scientific community.
Research conducted on the ISS is crucial for our journey to the Moon, Mars, and exploring the universe. The knowledge gained from these experiments will pave the way for a better future for humanity in space and on Earth.
In summary, Starlab represents a significant step forward in human space exploration. Its launch in 2028 could serve as a foundation for continued international cooperation in space, supporting the transition towards the next generation of space stations and contributing to our understanding of the universe.
[1] Starlab: https://www.starlab.space/ [2] SpaceX Starship: https://www.spacex.com/starship [3] Johnson Space Center: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/index.html
- As SpaceX's Starship prepares for the launch of Starlab in 2028, this next-generation space station, a collaboration between Airbus Defence and Space, Voyager Space, and Journey, will integrate advanced technology, focusing on space-and-astronomy studies and science research, aiming to lay a foundation for future Moon and Mars exploration missions.
- Starlab's innovative design and capabilities, such as the potential to conduct over 400 experiments per year and providing 100% of the International Space Station's payload capacity, will significantly contribute to timely advancements in scientific knowledge, ultimately propelling the realm of science further into space.
