HOUSTON, Texas, February 7, 2025 – Starlab Space LLC and George Washington Carver Science Park at The Ohio State University have agreed to explore joint opportunities in space research and manufacturing. The signed Memorandum of Understanding is an important first step for all parties and establishes a framework for collaboration that can advance scientific discovery and commercial innovation in space.
“The Starlab approach prioritizes research, discovery and a permanent human presence in LEO,” said Tim Kopra, Starlab CEO. “That effort requires a strong foundation here on Earth where scientists and engineers can collaborate. The George Washington Carver Science Park will provide a home for groundbreaking research in microgravity, helping to solve some of our biggest challenges in medicine, energy and technology.”
The GWC Science Park, established by Voyager Technologies, is the world’s first science park dedicated to in-space research and manufacturing. Through this agreement, Starlab and its customers will gain access to:
- A strong commercial, civil, national security and academic space ecosystem, within the state and serving as tenants of the Science Park;
- Key scientific and engineering expertise through Ohio State; and,
- State-of-the-art facilities and testing infrastructure, including high-bay laboratory space, parabolic flights and vacuum chambers.
Beyond their cooperative research efforts, Starlab and GWC Science Park will work to increase education on microgravity research and orbital research techniques and to encourage workforce development and student engagement in space STEM activities. These efforts will help grow a strong commercial space industry and ensure a successful and sustainable future in space exploration.
Starlab’s global research infrastructure also includes a European hub at Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich, with additional sites in Japan under consideration.
About Starlab
Starlab Space is a U.S.-led global joint venture among Voyager Technologies, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation and MDA Space, with strategic partners including Palantir Technologies, The Ohio State University, Hilton and more. Starlab is developing a next-generation, AI-enabled commercial space station, aiming to ensure permanent human presence in low-Earth orbit and a seamless transition of microgravity science and research alongside the retirement of the International Space Station. For more information on Starlab, visit starlab-space.com.
About George Washington Carver Science Park
George Washington Carver Science Park, established by Voyager Technologies, is designed as the world’s first science park devoted to in-space research and manufacturing. Located at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, the GWC Science Park leverages a successful terrestrial business model where scientists and industry experts share findings, collaborate, and use new technologies to advance both scientific and commercial endeavors. The intent is to create a vibrant ecosystem of large and small companies, organizations and universities, both domestically and internationally, to assure sustainability in the new era of commercial space stations and other in-space platforms.
The GWC Science Park is set to include high-bay laboratory space, suitable for scientific research experiments that span the range of on-orbit activities, from procedure development, testing and prototyping to other activities essential on the path to spaceflight research.