The European Union is vying to become a leading power in the latest space war that is taking place. While everyone (including Elon Musk) is putting on a fight to claim a piece of the cosmic pie, the EU has taken a leap. Starlab, a commercial space station developed by Voyager Space and Airbus, has taken a massive stride toward making a human presence in low-Earth orbit a reality. At the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Space Summit in Seville, Spain, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by ESA, Airbus, and Voyager Space outlining the focus of the Starlab space station on science and technology development.
The joint venture aims to provide an alternative low-Earth orbit destination, especially given the scheduled retirement of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030. After the ISS, commercial space stations are expected to play a key role in maintaining human presence in Earth’s immediate space. While NASA had invested in three projects, the Starlab space station appears to be the most viable option. The Starlab space station is registered under Starlab Space LLC.
The outline of the MOU
The MOU is structured around the shared intention of ESA, Airbus, and Voyager Space to promote science and technology development, exploring collaborative opportunities for post-International Space Station low-Earth orbit (LEO) destinations. The partnership will first park its focus on ensuring sustained access to space for Europe through the Starlab space station. This could involve access to the station for ESA and its Member States where they will contribute to research projects on upcoming missions. A plus point is that when engaging in research projects, advanced European technology in fields like robotics, automation and AI can be employed without restraints.
The agreement between the aforementioned bodies aims to create a system that includes Starlab as a destination in low Earth orbit. In the same vein, they will also establish a comprehensive ‘end-to-end’ ecosystem, including a potential ESA-developed European transportation system for both cargo and crew. The main aim is to use standardised interfaces to promote an open access policy allowing easier and more widespread participation in space activities. The ultimate goal is to uplift European science priorities and foster commercial development in space.
About the project
As such, this agreement underscores the importance of international alliances in advancing the new era of commercial space exploration, with a focus on Europe’s significant contributions and utilisation of the Starlab station. Airbus, as a key partner, expresses its satisfaction with ESA’s interest in Starlab and highlights its successful history of collaboration in space exploration, including the development of spacecraft like the Columbus Module and European Service Module for Orion. Moreover, Voyager Space expanded its efforts by partnering with Northrop Grumman, which brings autonomous docking capabilities through its Cygnus Cargo Spacecraft to support Starlab.
The two companies in charge of the station are yet to commence construction of it. However, according to its plan, the facility is expected to have around half the volume of the ISS (about 450 cubic metres). The proposed design includes a 60kW power system, a propulsions module for orbit control, and a robotic arm for docking and maintenance. The timeline for the launch of Starlab’s spacecraft is set for 2028, with commercial services commencing in 2029. To accommodate its size, the SpaceX Starship is currently considered the most suitable launch vehicle.
It is true that ISS plans to wrap up its work only in 2030, which is a considerable time away. But when taking into consideration the time that is required for the development of new orbital habitats, their construction and testing into consideration, it is clear that there is too little time on their hands. Various commercial space stations are under consideration, but the success of these projects is on volatile grounds. Even initiatives that have a lot of money stored under their names (such as Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef station) find themselves in doubt, leaving ISS patterns with limited options post-ISS shutdown.
All in all, the main objective of this project is to provide global space agencies, researchers, and companies with a platform for continued human presence in low-Earth orbit. Starlab is designed to facilitate a smooth transition of microgravity science and research from the ISS into the emerging era of commercial space stations.
Amidst all of these meet and greets and affiliations is an interesting point of departure which is how Starlab will be directly serving the European Space Agency. Clearly, this is a not-so-subtle fight for ownership. Everybody wants a slice of space and the EU wants a slightly bigger slice.
Their desire and urgency to claim “land” even in space is a great example of how old habits die hard. However, it is not just the EU scrambling to call space theirs. Superpowers such as the U.S. and China also have their heads in the game. They are so deep in this race that they are inches away from head-butting and creating a cosmic collision. Advertently, space has become a focal point for heightened geopolitical competition, with rival blocs. The persistent increase in lunar missions and technological accomplishments are driving this new space race. In the contemporary world, the successful exploitation of space resources is seen as a decisive factor in determining the long-term economic and strategic advantages of the leading natures, as they compete for a monopoly in the domain of space.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)