Nanoracks, in collaboration with Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin [NYSE:
LMT], has formed a team to develop the first-ever free flying commercial
space station. The space station, known as Starlab, will be a continuously
crewed commercial platform, dedicated to conducting critical research,
fostering industrial activity, and ensuring continued U.S. presence and
leadership in low-Earth orbit. Starlab is expected to achieve initial
operational capability by 2027.
To meet U.S. government, international space agency, and commercial needs in
space, these industry leaders will develop Starlab specifically to enable
the growing space economy and meet pent-up customer demand for space
services such as materials research, plant growth, and astronaut activity.
Together, these companies bring unparalleled experience in commercial space
utilization, engineering design and performance, technology innovation, and
investment strategy.
“Since the beginning, Nanoracks has sought to own and operate a private
space station to fully unlock market demand,” says Jeffrey Manber, CEO and
Co-Founder of Nanoracks. “Our team has spent the last decade learning the
business of space stations, understanding customer needs, charting market
growth, and self-investing in private hardware on the ISS like the Bishop
Airlock. Nanoracks and our team are excited to work with NASA and our
friends across the world as we move forward with Starlab.”
NASA recently announced the Commercial Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Destination
(CLD) project to support the development of private space stations. CLD will
stimulate a multifaceted LEO economy and provide science and crew
capabilities in LEO before the International Space Station (ISS) retires.
Nanoracks will prime the Starlab development effort leveraging over a decade
of experience as the pathfinder of and global leader in commercial ISS
utilization. Voyager Space, the majority shareholder in Nanoracks, will lead
strategy and capital investment and Lockheed Martin, a leader in developing
and operating complex spacecraft, will serve as the manufacturer and
technical integrator.
The basic elements of the Starlab space station include a large inflatable
habitat, designed and built by Lockheed Martin, a metallic docking node, a
power and propulsion element, a large robotic arm for servicing cargo and
payloads, and a state-of-the-art laboratory system to host a comprehensive
research, science, and manufacturing capability. Starlab will be able
to continuously host up to four astronauts for conducting critical science
and research.
“We’re excited to be part of such an innovative and capable team—one that
allows each company to leverage their core strengths,” said Lisa Callahan,
Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Civil Space at Lockheed
Martin. “Lockheed Martin’s extensive experience in building complex
spacecraft and systems, coupled with Nanoracks’ commercial business
innovation and Voyager’s financial expertise allows our team to create a
customer-focused space station that will fuel our future vision. We have
invested significantly in habitat technology which enables us to propose a
cost-effective, mission-driven spacecraft design for Starlab.”
Nanoracks’ Starlab business model is designed to enable science, research,
and manufacturing for global customers, and bring added value to
long-duration sovereign astronaut missions. Starlab will also serve tourism
and other commercial and business activities.
“Voyager Space is highly confident in the Starlab business model and its
ability to be commercially sustainable and well capitalized,” says Dylan
Taylor, Voyager Space Chairman & CEO. “Voyager Space sees numerous
synergies leveraging the capabilities across our organization’s operating
businesses, as well as within the Lockheed Martin ecosystem. We see this
partnership as just the beginning of our work together.”
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