Starlab

Welcome Blue Abyss Global and Nexture Bio! We're excited to have you join us at the George Washington Carver Science Park at The Ohio State University. A sustainable space economy must be supported by a strong Earth-to-space connection and state-of-the-art ground infrastructure. That's what we've established through the GWCSP. This is a first-of-its-kind university research park dedicated to commercial spaceflight research and economic development. Blue Abyss and Nexture Bio are joining a pioneering network of companies and will support STEM outreach and engagement activities and participate in #LEO research and innovation, including payload development and advancing food technologies for space exploration.  https://lnkd.in/eQajReNp

It takes a planet to explore the universe, and we've assembled an incredible global team. We've been introducing them over the past few weeks and look forward to sharing more about their expertise. Together, this team is developing the space station that will enable continuous, permanent human presence in #LEO prior to the #ISS being decommissioned. We have leaders in the space economy, from commercialization and exploration to human-rated space robotics and AI-enabled space station intelligence. Our team also includes leading organizations in hospitality design and innovation and space research and AgTech innovation. Our aim is to foster world-changing discoveries and transform the future for all people. Voyager Space Airbus Defence and Space Mitsubishi Corporation MDA Space Palantir Technologies Hilton Northrop Grumman The Ohio State University

Now YOU can fly through #Starlab. If you're at #IAC2024, you can experience Starlab's spacious crew deck in extraordinary virtual reality. Come float inside the space station that will enable continuous, permanent human presence in #LEO prior to the #ISS being decommissioned. Grab a headset at the Airbus Defence and Space booth and feel the sensation of #microgravity right from your seat.

MDA Space is redefining robotic excellence while building on their decades long, record-setting legacy. In 2025, the MDA Space Robotics Centre of Excellence will be the world’s first commercial space robotics mission operations center, allowing groundbreaking technologies to be tailored to support a diverse range of missions. 

We recently completed a full-scale mockup of one level of the Starlab Space Station and are conducting usability testing to improve Starlab's operational efficiencies and overall crew experience. A critical component involves placing humans in the simulated space station, including European Space Agency - ESA astronauts, retired NASA astronauts, operations experts, researchers, and non-professional flight enthusiasts. These individuals were part of a three-week-long series of tests that provided valuable feedback on configurations and helped in identifying key considerations for power, space, and thermal requirements. Through our global partnerships, we were able to invite ESA astronauts Luca Parmitano and Alex Gerst to participate in testing. They shared their insights to help guide design decisions and ensure Starlab provides an efficient and comfortable environment for future crews to conduct groundbreaking research in microgravity. Learn more about our Human-in-the-Loop approach: https://bit.ly/3YgKLae

The MDA Space-built Dextre is the most sophisticated space robot ever built. Dextre supports the ISS by replacing defective components, testing new tools and robotics techniques, and more.  MDA Space’s extensive experience with space robotics equips Starlab to execute the most precise robotic maneuvers, offering our customers a comprehensive suite of external robotics, interfaces, and mission operations.  

MDA Space’s experience with robots is unmatched; with over 55 years of setting records and 450+ successful missions, MDA Space is the leader in supporting space exploration through robotics.  They provided critical support to astronauts and mission operators through Canadarm2 to help assemble the ISS. Today, it is used for station maintenance, moving supplies, equipment, and astronauts, and grappling visiting vehicles.  Building on this strong foundation, MDA Space’s future-ready arm, MDA SKYMAKER™, will enable Starlab to tackle a diverse range of missions and meet challenges head-on.  

With Bartolomeo, Airbus Defence and Space has demonstrated its expertise in payload hosting, providing all-in-one mission services that simplify a complex process and allow researchers to focus on their experiments and data collection. Starlab will have multiple payload hosting locations available for U.S. and international customers.

The safety of Starlab's crew is our top priority.        On behalf of the European Space Agency - ESA, Airbus Defence and Space built the Orion ESM which currently delivers propulsion, navigation, thermal control, and life support systems for NASA's Artemis' Moon missions, marking the first time mission-critical elements for a NASA human spaceflight mission were procured outside the U.S.        This experience will be critical for Starlab to ensure the health and safety of astronauts while conducting groundbreaking research in microgravity.

The Airbus Defence and Space-built Automated Transfer Vehicle has delivered more than 31 tons of supplies to the ISS and made history as the first vehicle to dock autonomously with the Space Station.      Looking ahead, Airbus' expertise will be instrumental in enabling Starlab to accommodate different cargo vehicles from our U.S. and international partners.