Discussions explore potential opportunities under UNOOSA’s “Access to Space for All” initiative, aligned with Starlab’s commitment to broadening international participation in low Earth orbit as the post-International Space Station era approaches.
HOUSTON — October 1, 2026 — Starlab Space LLC announced today that it intends to make payload and research capacity available to support future United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)-led international programs, with the aim of exploring potential pathways for United Nations Member States to access microgravity research and technology development opportunities aboard Starlab’s planned commercial space station. UNOOSA and Starlab are exploring the future reservation of research capacity for use by Member States. The effort reflects growing global demand for accessible low Earth orbit research infrastructure in the post-International Space Station era.
UNOOSA and Starlab are exploring whether and how future Starlab capacity could support research opportunities for Member States. The effort is intended to lower barriers to entry and create practical pathways for universities, research institutions, governments and industry to participate in space-based experimentation and technology development without requiring independent orbital infrastructure.
To gauge interest from Member States, UNOOSA and Starlab intend to open a call for interest during the upcoming International Astronautical Congress taking place Oct. 5-9 in Antalya, Türkiye, to better understand the potential demand for access to microgravity research and technology development opportunities aboard Starlab. The call will seek to identify prospective users, areas of research and technology development, anticipated payload requirements and the types of support that may be needed to enable participation, with particular attention to developing countries and countries with limited or no previous access to space-based research infrastructure.
The information gathered will help inform ongoing discussions between UNOOSA and Starlab on the potential scope and design of future cooperation. It will also provide a clearer picture of Member States’ needs and priorities, supporting the development of accessible and inclusive pathways for participation in the emerging commercial low Earth orbit ecosystem. Any future opportunity would be subject to the conclusion of appropriate arrangements between UNOOSA and Starlab, as well as applicable technical, operational and programmatic requirements.
This exploratory effort is being considered in the context of UNOOSA’s Access to Space for All initiative, which works with partners to expand access to space-based facilities, infrastructure and expertise and to build sustainable national capabilities in Member States.
“Engaging with UNOOSA reflects our commitment to building Starlab as a globally accessible platform that carries forward the ISS legacy of peaceful international cooperation while lowering barriers for nations and institutions that historically have had limited access to low Earth orbit research opportunities,” said Luis Zea, Ph.D., chief scientist of Starlab. “By expanding who can participate in microgravity research, we can help ensure the benefits of space-based science reach more communities on Earth.”
“The emergence of new platforms in low Earth orbit offers an opportunity to broaden international participation in space activities and help more countries build long-term capabilities,” said Aarti Holla-Maini, director of UNOOSA. “Through Access to Space for All, UNOOSA works with partners to translate access into hands-on experience, knowledge and skills that can have lasting impact. Looking to the post-International Space Station era, partnerships with commercial providers such as Starlab can create new pathways for countries to participate in space-based research. This call for interest with Starlab will help us understand Member States’ needs and priorities and explore how future cooperation can best support them.”
The dialogue reflects a broader shift across the global space sector as governments, research institutions and international organizations prepare for the transition to commercial low Earth orbit destinations. Starlab’s international joint venture, spanning European, Japanese and North American partners, is designed to support collaborative research and innovation across borders while enabling sustained microgravity access for scientific and technological advancement.
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 of 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’s next-generation capabilities as they 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 UNOOSA
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) promotes international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of outer space, and in the utilization of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development. It serves as the secretariat for the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), the leading multilateral forum on space governance, and assists Member States with capacity-building on space law, policy, science and technology. Through its Access to Space for All initiative, UNOOSA works with partners to provide Member States, particularly developing countries, with opportunities to access space-based facilities, infrastructure and expertise, while building the skills and sustainable national capacity needed to benefit from space science and technology.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Starlab Space
Melissa Price, melissaprice@griffincg.com
UNOOSA
Jennifer Dev, oosa@un.org