The race to build humanity’s next home in orbit is heating up—and Starlab just moved to the front of the pack.
Voyager Space, in partnership with Airbus, has announced that its commercial space station project has cleared a major hurdle: the Preliminary Design Review (PDR). With this technical green light in hand, Starlab now transitions into full-scale development, moving from blueprints and simulations to the nuts, bolts, and robotics of orbital infrastructure.
From Concept to Construction
Unlike legacy space habitats that emerged from decades of government-led projects, Starlab is designed from the ground up to thrive in a new era of commercial space. The station will feature a pressurized habitat capable of supporting four astronauts, a robust service module, and advanced research infrastructure—including a robotic arm and dedicated space for microgravity experimentation.
At 340 cubic meters in volume, Starlab isn’t trying to replicate the International Space Station. It’s reimagining what’s possible: a leaner, more focused orbital platform tailored for both research and tourism, set to launch aboard SpaceX’s Starship as early as 2028.
A New Orbital Ecosystem
This milestone isn’t just about one station—it’s about a shift in how humanity lives and works in space. As the International Space Station nears retirement, private stations like Starlab are poised to take over low Earth orbit operations. With support from NASA’s Commercial LEO Development program, these platforms are designed to host a mix of astronauts, researchers, and private citizens.
But it’s also a race. Companies like Vast and Blue Origin are developing their own concepts. Starlab’s entry into full-scale development signals that the competition is no longer theoretical—it’s real, and it’s accelerating.
What Comes Next?
Manufacturing of hardware will now begin, along with integration of the systems that will support life and research in space. Behind the scenes, Voyager and Airbus are likely working to secure long-term agreements—not just with NASA, but also with private companies and international partners who want a slice of orbital real estate.
The future of off-world infrastructure is unfolding fast, and Starlab isn’t just joining the conversation. It’s setting the pace.
Stay tuned—space is getting crowded, and the view is only getting better.
