Starlab Space

Name

Starlab Space

Legal name

Starlab Space, Inc.

Website

https://starlab-space.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Space Station Services

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF), Space Power Systems (Solar Arrays, Batteries, EPS) (IMABACAH), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)

Keywords

• Commercial space stations
• Microgravity research platforms
• Payload hosting services
• Space manufacturing services
• Low-earth orbit infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Webster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Payload Reservation and Research Services: Commercial customers reserve payload space and research time aboard the Starlab station. This includes internal and external payload platforms, with customers like LambdaVision (biotech/artificial retina) and United Semiconductors (semiconductor manufacturing) having signed reservation agreements. Expected commercial revenue beginning 2027.
2. Space Manufacturing Revenue: Manufacturing in microgravity for high-value products including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and biomedical implants. Starlab positions itself as an industrial node enabling production of materials difficult or impossible to manufacture on Earth.
3. NASA Commercial LEO Development Contracts: NASA Space Act Agreement funding through the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations program. Voyager Technologies received $217+ million through the SAA, with Starlab achieving 31 program milestones and $183 million in NASA cash receipts. Additional $24 million received in Q1 2026 through NASA Space Act Agreement.
4. Hosting Fee Revenue: Revenue from hosting external payloads on Starlab's external payload platforms (2 EPPs, each supporting up to 9 payloads), including hosted satellites and earth observation telescopes.
5. Cargo Logistics Services: Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft provides cargo resupply services. Revenue generated through logistics partnerships enabling visiting vehicles and crew rotation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Starlab Space is developing a commercial low-Earth orbit space station that will provide microgravity research and manufacturing services to government agencies, biopharmaceutical companies, semiconductor manufacturers, and research institutions. The station is designed for single-launch deployment on SpaceX Starship and will offer internal and external payload platforms, AI-enabled operations via Palantir, and robotic payload handling via MDA SKYMAKER systems.

Product overview

Starlab Space operates as a US-led global joint venture developing the Starlab commercial space station as the primary successor to the International Space Station. The product portfolio centers on the Starlab Space Station itself (a continuously crewed, AI-enabled platform with 400 cubic meters of pressurized volume), complemented by the Internal Payload Laboratory (13 payload platforms for internal research) and External Payload Laboratory (18 payload slots across 2 platforms for external research). The On-Orbit Science Park provides the broader research ecosystem for microgravity manufacturing in biopharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and advanced materials. Ground infrastructure includes the George Washington Carver Science Park and VISTA Science Park at Ohio State University for payload development, analog testing, and training. Starlab offers space manufacturing services through customer partnerships including LambdaVision (artificial retinas), United Semiconductors (semiconductor crystals), and Auxilium Biotechnologies (3D bioprinting). MDA SKYMAKER robotics enable external payload operations and maintenance. The platform is designed for single-launch deployment on SpaceX Starship with a 2028-2029 operational target.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Starlab Space Station A continuously-crewed, AI-enabled commercial space station designed to maintain human presence in low-Earth orbit as a successor to the International Space Station. Features 400 cubic meters of pressurized volume, 17m height, 7.7m width, 4 continuous crew capacity expandable to 8 during turnover, 13 Internal Payload Platforms, 2 External Payload Platforms supporting 9 payloads each, and three docking ports.
• Payload Reservation and Research Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 90%+ wastewater recycling through advanced ECLSS
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Portal Space SystemssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Portal Space Systems partnered with Starlab to provide commercial debris removal services through their Debris Removal as a Service (DRAAS) offering. Starlab signed a letter of intent to integrate the service into future station operations.
• United SemiconductorssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026United Semiconductors LLC signed a payload reservation agreement to advance commercial-scale semiconductor crystal growth manufacturing aboard Starlab, building on successful microgravity crystal growth demonstrations aboard the ISS.
• LambdaVisionsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026LambdaVision signed a payload reservation agreement with Starlab Space LLC to support manufacturing of protein-based artificial retinas aboard the station, transitioning from ISS demonstrations to scalable commercial production in low Earth orbit.
• Helogen CorporationsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2026Starlab announced partnership with Helogen Corporation to integrate HEL-IOS, the world's first orbital biomedical operating system, into Starlab's commercial space station, enabling autonomous and scalable biological research and manufacturing.
• Auxilium BiotechnologiessupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026Starlab partnered with Auxilium Biotechnologies to provide orbital 3D bioprinting and biofabrication capabilities aboard the station using the AMP-1 platform for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
• Mitsubishi CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026Mitsubishi Corporation made an additional investment in Starlab Space LLC and acquired usage rights to the experimental module on the planned commercial space station. The partnership aims to ensure Japan's continued access to space-based research facilities and advance space-based R&D in semiconductors, life sciences, and drug discovery.
• Space Applications ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2025Space Applications Services, a Belgium-based space engineering firm, joined Starlab Space LLC as a strategic partner and equity owner at the 76th International Astronautical Congress, expanding Starlab's capabilities and global reach including joint development of space research facilities.
• MDA SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024MDA Space joined Starlab Space as a strategic partner and equity owner, contributing its expertise in space robotics to the development of the Starlab commercial space station. MDA Space will provide the full range of external robotics, robotics interfaces, and robotic mission operations, including its MDA SKYMAKER™ suite of scalable and modular robotics solutions.
• Palantir TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024Palantir Technologies is a strategic partner making Starlab an AI-enabled platform. Palantir's technology drives real-time intelligence and decision-making through digital twins, AI monitoring, predictive maintenance, and resource optimization.
• Voyager TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoyager Technologies leads the Starlab Space Joint Venture, bringing extensive ISS experience as the largest commercial user. Voyager provides commercial payload services, mission operations, Bishop Airlock expertise, and has been awarded $217+ million through NASA Space Act Agreement.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus, the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe and founding partner, is providing technical design and engineering services for Starlab and manufacturing the habitat. Airbus brings heritage from ISS Columbus Module, Automated Transfer Vehicle, and Orion European Service Module.
• Northrop GrummansupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthrop Grumman is teamed with Starlab to enhance its Cygnus spacecraft for cargo resupply services to the station, including developing fully autonomous rendezvous and docking technology.
• Hilton HotelssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHilton is partnering with Starlab in architecture and design, leveraging world-class creative design and innovation experts to develop space hospitality crew headquarters including communal areas, hospitality suites, and sleeping arrangements for astronauts.
• The Ohio State UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOhio State's Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering division leads university business development for Starlab. The university hosts the VISTA Science Park, which will host Starlab's ground analog facility and serves as a payload development center.
• JourneysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJourney, a multidimensional experience agency, is helping shape the interior and experiential design of Starlab, working closely with Hilton to design the hospitality and crew experience.
• Blue AbysssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Abyss joined the George Washington Carver Science Park at Ohio State as a Starlab partner, contributing to STEM outreach, LEO research activities, and advancement of food technologies for space exploration.
• Nexture BiosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNexture Bio joined the George Washington Carver Science Park to support Starlab's research network, leveraging expertise in cellular agriculture and scaffold technologies for space applications.
• LeidossupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStarlab appointed Leidos as its primary assembly, integration, and testing provider for the commercial space station development project.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Axiom Space: Direct competitor building Axiom Station, a commercial successor to the ISS using a modular attach-to-ISS-then-free-flyer architecture. Both target the same NASA Commercial LEO Destinations funding pool, biotech/pharma customers, and post-ISS sovereign demand.
• Vast: Direct competitor developing Haven-1 (single-launch small station launching 2026) and Haven-2 (planned successor). Targets the same NASA CLD funding, microgravity research customers, and in-space manufacturing use cases as Starlab.
• Blue Origin Orbital Reef: Direct competitor commercial space station partnership between Blue Origin and Sierra Space under NASA CLD. Targets identical NASA anchor funding, mixed-use business park model, and post-ISS LEO customers, creating head-to-head competition for the same demand.

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Space: Dream Chaser and LIFE inflatable habitat developer with NASA CLD participation via Orbital Reef. Comparable in pursuing commercial LEO habitation and microgravity research, but partnered with Blue Origin rather than operating as an independent station.
• Northrop Grumman: Major ISS prime contractor providing Cygnus cargo resupply to both ISS and Starlab. Comparable as an established space infrastructure provider with decades of human spaceflight heritage, though focused on cargo/logistics rather than station-as-a-service.
• AIRBUS Defence and Space: Founding Starlab JV partner and ISS Columbus module / ATV heritage builder. Comparable as a large incumbent providing technical design and habitat manufacturing services to multiple commercial station programs, balancing Starlab participation with broader space portfolio.
• MDA Space: Canadarm-derived robotics supplier and Starlab equity owner operating the world's first commercial Space Robotics Centre of Excellence. Comparable as a space robotics incumbent whose heritage directly enables Starlab's external payload operations.

Others

• Voyager Technologies: NYSE-listed parent and lead JV partner of Starlab, providing Bishop Airlock, mission operations, and the $217M+ NASA Space Act Agreement. Highly comparable as the publicly traded proxy for Starlab with overlapping management and direct financial exposure to station success.

Emerging players

• Bigelow Aerospace: Legacy inflatable-habitat pioneer whose BEAM module is currently attached to the ISS. Conceptually comparable as an early commercial space station developer, though operationally dormant relative to Starlab's active CLD program.
• Gravitics: Early-stage developer of commercial space station modules and orbital infrastructure components. Comparable as an emerging player targeting similar commercial LEO demand with a more modular, smaller-scale approach than Starlab's single-launch monolith.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Starlab_Space
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/starlab-space
• Instagraminstagram.com/starlab_space

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds12 records

Investors14 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Starlab Space