Voyager selects Vivace to build primary structure for Starlab commercial space station

Questions and answers:

What is Starlab? Starlab is a planned AI-enabled commercial space station designed to continue human operations in low-Earth orbit after the retirement of the International Space Station.

Who is building the primary structure of Starlab? Vivace Corp. in Huntsville, Ala., was selected to manufacture the primary structure, working with Starlab and its international partners.

Who are the key partners in the Starlab venture? The joint venture includes Voyager Technologies, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corp., MDA Space, and Palantir Technologies, with additional partners such as Hilton, Northrop Grumman, and The Ohio State University.

DENVER - Voyager Technologies Inc. in Denver, the majority holder of Starlab Space LLC, announced Wednesday that Vivace Corp. in Huntsville, Ala., has been selected to manufacture the primary structure for Starlab, a next-generation, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled commercial space station designed to ensure continued human presence in low-Earth orbit.

The Starlab station will be one of the largest single spaceflight structures ever developed. Vivace will collaborate with Starlab and international partners to complete the design-to-manufacture process and initiate production of the structure. Starlab notes that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded more than $217.5 million to the Starlab program.

"Starlab offers unmatched capability amongst NASA’s Commercial LEO Destination concepts and fine-tunes the American workforce to realize a state-of-the-art orbiting marketplace to build on our strategic leadership in space," said Dylan Taylor, chairman and CEO of Voyager Technologies. "As majority shareholder, Voyager is driving this program forward with our global partners, ensuring a seamless transition from the ISS and establishing infrastructure that will serve government and commercial customers for decades to come."

Related: MDA Space joins Starlab Space as partner in commercial space station venture

Commercial opportunities

Starlab is designed to create long-term opportunities in the commercial space sector by providing a platform for in-space research, technology demonstrations, and advanced materials development. Following its investment phase, the program aims to generate sustained revenue through government, international, and commercial partnerships.

Starlab Space is a U.S.-led joint venture among Voyager Technologies, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corp., MDA Space, and Palantir Technologies, with strategic partners including Hilton, Northrop Grumman, and The Ohio State University. The station is intended to provide a seamless transition from the International Space Station and maintain a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit.