The European Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus Defence and Space and Voyager Space to explore the potential of European utilization of the Starlab Space Station once the International Space Station is decommissioned.
Starlab is a planned commercial space station. The project is led by Airbus and the US-based Voyager Space. The station is expected to be launched as soon as 2028, with commercial operations beginning in 2029. This will allow for some overlap with ISS operations before the station is decommissioned in 2030.
The collaborative agreement will see the three entities exploring the possibility of access to Starlab for astronaut missions commissioned by ESA and its member states. It will also allow for contributions to research initiatives to develop European science and technology, and the potential establishment of an “end-to-end ecosystem” that would see opportunities for future European cargo and crew transportation providers.
According to an ESA press release, the agreement “reflects ESA’s ambition to enable a smooth transition of its activities on ISS, towards the sustained exploitation of human and robotic infrastructures in low-Earth orbit.”
“ESA appreciates the transatlantic industry initiative for the commercial Starlab Space Station and the potential that its strong European footprint holds for significant European industrial and institutional contributions to, and use of, said station,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General. “Our teams are looking forward to working closely with the Starlab teams here in Europe and in the US.”
Airbus officially joined the Voyager Space initiative to develop, build, and operate Starlab in August. However, the partnership between the two entities began in January. Although Airbus will play a significant part in the endeavour, the pair have stated that the venture will be “US-led.” Voyager Space has been awarded $160 million from a NASA Space Act Agreement to assist with the development of the station.
