Starlab Space partners with Saber Astronautics for payload services on commercial space station

Summary Points: 

• Saber will act as both a channel partner for new customers and an implementation partner providing technical services.
• Services include feasibility assessments, hardware integration and in-orbit operational support for payloads on Starlab.
• Starlab is part of NASA’s Commercial LEO Destination program and aims to provide continuous human presence in orbit.

HOUSTON - Starlab Space LLC in Houston announced a strategic partnership with Saber Astronautics in Adelaide, Australia, establishing the company as both a channel and implementation partner for payload services aboard the Starlab commercial space station.

Under the agreement, Saber Astronautics will play a dual role: driving business development by engaging new customers for Starlab’s microgravity platform and providing technical execution services, including feasibility assessments, hardware integration, and in-orbit operational support. The companies aim to broaden access to space-based research and development opportunities across government, academia and industry.

"Partnering with Saber Astronautics strengthens Starlab’s global reach and reinforces our commitment to building a robust commercial ecosystem," said Marshall Smith, CEO of Starlab Space. "Saber brings both market access and deep technical expertise, ensuring customers worldwide can seamlessly integrate and operate payloads on Starlab."

Related: Sidus Space unveils LunarLizzie satellite platform for autonomous lunar operations

"This agreement represents a major milestone for Saber Astronautics," said Jason Held, CEO of Saber Astronautics. "Our team is honored to help customers unlock the benefits of microgravity research, from design to delivery, while advancing Starlab’s vision of sustained international access to low-Earth orbit."

Commercial space

Starlab is one of NASA’s Commercial LEO Destination concepts, designed to provide continuous human presence in orbit and a scalable platform for life sciences, advanced materials, technology development, and national security applications. The collaboration with Saber Astronautics extends Starlab’s international partnerships, enabling expanded opportunities for Australia, the United States, and allied nations to benefit from orbital R&D.

Starlab Space is a U.S.-led joint venture among Voyager Technologies, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir Technologies, and Space Applications Services, with strategic partners including Northrop Grumman and The Ohio State University.

Saber Astronautics focuses on next-generation mission control software and advanced tools for spacecraft operators, including artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled systems and 3D visualization for flight monitoring, fault diagnosis, and systems control.