Preliminary terms establish potential future ESA astronaut missions, payload use and European operations aboard the Starlab Space Station
HOUSTON – September 23, 2026 – Starlab Space LLC, announced that it has signed a joint Letter of Intent (LoI) with the European Space Agency (ESA) outlining preliminary terms and conditions for potential future European use of the Starlab Space Station, including offsetting future ESA astronaut missions as well as European operations and utilization infrastructure.
The LoI builds on previous discussions and a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023. The LoI establishes a framework for continued collaboration as ESA prepares for the transition from the International Space Station to commercial low Earth orbit platforms and explores potential future access to the Starlab Space Station for European science, technology and astronaut missions.
The bilaterally signed LoI lays the ground for a possible reservation of payload volume and payload facilities. As stated in the LoI, basic laboratory utilization of the Starlab facilities on orbit may include: utilization of Glovebox facilities, cold stowage, ambient stowage, incubation facilities and time, plant habitat utilization, or other identified orbital lab functions. Starlab Space Station also foresees utilization of European Cargo and future Crew Transportation Capabilities.
“This Letter of Intent represents the culmination of years of collaboration between Starlab and the European Space Agency, building on our earlier Memorandum of Understanding for astronaut and payload services and advancing to a more defined framework based on detailed technical, operational and commercial assessments,” said Marshall Smith, CEO of Starlab Space. “Through this Letter of Intent, ESA and Starlab are establishing a clear pathway for future European utilization of low Earth orbit, including crew transportation, astronaut missions, research payloads and in-space services. Starlab is proud to be a long-term and trusted partner to ESA, committed to ensuring that Europe maintains reliable access to low Earth orbit while enabling world-class science, technology development and commercial innovation for decades to come.”
The collaboration also reflects ESA’s broader efforts to expand options for European activities in low Earth orbit.
“Europe is strengthening its autonomy, while we are preparing for the post-ISS era,” said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher. “This cooperation letter provides a basis to explore, on a non-exclusive basis, how future commercial stations could support European science and astronaut missions while considering the potential role of European transportation capabilities. Any next steps will be guided by the decisions of ESA Member States.”
Starlab is committed to supporting a sustainable transition to a commercial low Earth orbit economy and providing governments, research organizations and commercial customers with the access they need to a next-generation orbital platform. Starlab’s market-driven model is designed to lower the cost, complexity and risk of conducting research and technology development in low Earth orbit while providing the capacity and capabilities needed to support a growing global user community.
As ESA and its Member States prepare for the post-ISS era, Starlab will continue working with European partners to advance potential pathways for science, technology development, astronaut missions and other use opportunities aboard the Starlab Space Station.
###
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.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Starlab Space
Melissa Price, melissaprice@griffincg.com