Reservation creates a pathway for Scottish companies, universities and research organizations to access microgravity research and technology development aboard Starlab’s commercial space station.
HOUSTON – July 14, 2026 – Starlab Space LLC, a commercial space developer, announced a reservation agreement with Space Scotland, the national coordinating body for Scotland’s space sector. The reservation establishes a pathway for Space Scotland’s member organizations to access research and technology development opportunities aboard Starlab’s commercial space station as the industry transitions beyond the International Space Station.
Through the agreement, Space Scotland will enable research and technology demonstrations aboard Starlab’s commercial space station. The collaboration is intended to support Scotland’s considerable and expanding space ecosystem by providing a pathway for companies, academic institutions and research organizations to access sustained microgravity conditions for scientific research and commercial development beyond the ISS.
“What excites me most about this agreement isn’t just the science, it’s the business models and applications we haven’t imagined yet. Scotland’s space sector has a history of punching well above its weight, and giving Scottish researchers and entrepreneurs access to Starlab’s microgravity environment is going to unlock ideas that surprise the rest of the world,” said Manwei Chan, Director of International and Science at Voyager Technologies.
Reserved utilization activities include basic and applied research, microgravity research and development, commercial demonstration projects, space science and exploration, advanced manufacturing and STEM education initiatives. The agreement supports the continued growth of Scotland’s space sector by connecting its innovation ecosystem to commercial low Earth orbit infrastructure, enabling advancements across fields such as healthcare, materials science, climate monitoring and emerging technologies.
“Scotland has built one of the most dynamic and fast-growing space ecosystems in Europe,” said Marshall Smith, CEO of Starlab Space. “This agreement creates new opportunities for Scotland’s space sector, researchers and institutions to access microgravity and translate their innovations into real-world applications through Starlab’s platform.”
“The move to commercial space stations represents a historic shift in how we access space and do business beyond the Earth,” said Dr Natasha Nicholson, CEO of Space Scotland. “By reserving this opportunity for Scottish organisations, we ensure that that collaborations across industry and academia continue to push the boundaries of innovation, and that promising SMEs can validate their technologies in space, accelerating their route to market, and reinforcing Scotland’s position as a space nation.”
The agreement reflects a broader trend: international customer and partner agencies are actively positioning their research communities for commercial LEO access as the ISS transition approaches. Starlab’s international joint venture — spanning European, Japanese, and North American partners — is structured to support research programs across borders, enabling the sustained microgravity conditions that advance healthcare, materials science, agriculture and emerging technologies.
Starlab’s market-driven business model is designed to reduce cost, complexity and risk for researchers and commercial partners. Its single-launch, no-assembly-required architecture enables full certification and operational readiness within weeks from launch, minimizing delays and maximizing efficiency for payload customers. Through its joint venture partners, customers can conduct research aboard the International Space Station today, ensuring a seamless transition to Starlab as its next-generation capabilities come online.
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About Starlab
Starlab Space is a U.S.-led, global joint venture among Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG), Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir Technologies, and Space Applications Services, with strategic partners including Hilton, Journey, Northrop Grumman, and The Ohio State University. Starlab is developing a next-generation, AI-enabled commercial space station, aiming to ensure continued human presence in low-Earth orbit and a seamless transition of microgravity science and research alongside the retirement of the International Space Station. Starlab’s advanced, user-driven design and robust capabilities make it a premier platform for scientific discovery and technological advancement in space. For more information, visit starlab-space.com.
About Space Scotland
Space Scotland is a free-to-join, not-for-profit organization dedicated to building a strong, connected, and globally competitive space sector. The organization supports the space community by coordinating capability, translating national and international strategy into action, and creating the conditions for sustainable economic growth, innovation, and resilience across Scotland’s space ecosystem. It actively leverages Scotland’s position as a leading small satellite manufacturing location with end-to-end capabilities to promote space technology that benefits the planet and the nation.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Starlab Space
Melissa Price, melissaprice@griffincg.com