Voyager Space and Airbus Defence and Space have launched a joint venture to develop, build and operate a commercial space station. According to the companies, the U.S.-led project “will bring together world-class leaders in the space domain, while further uniting American and European interests in space exploration.” Called Starlab, it is intended to succeed the International Space Station (ISS).
“The International Space Station is widely regarded as the most successful platform for global cooperation in space history, and we are committed to building on this legacy as we move forward with Starlab,” said Voyager Space President Matthew Kuta. “We are establishing this joint venture to reliably meet the known demand from global space agencies while opening new opportunities for commercial users.”
The joint venture will build on an earlier agreement between the companies for Airbus to provide technical design support and expertise for Starlab. Voyager noted that it completed the Starlab Systems Requirements Review (SRR), which covers “the major space systems, technical readiness, and ability to meet NASA’s mission and safety requirements,” in coordination with NASA’s Commercial LEO Development Program team in June. Voyager has previously stated that the goal is to launch Starlab in 2028 “to ensure a continued human presence in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).” ISS operations are currently scheduled to end in 2030.
‘Launch’ may be overstating what occurred in this case. 😉
I got the completely wrong impression by the use of the word “launched” in the lede.
More meaning, sometimes, in which country is not included.
‘operate a commercial space station33’
I’ll bite. Who are these known commercial users demanding opportunities for working in space? Heck, I can’t even get business approval to take a commercial flight to Boston, much less to a space station.