Northrop Grumman joins Voyager Space for Starlab project

The CLD program aims to ensure a smooth transition from the ISS, which is expected to be decommissioned in the early 2030s, to other platforms supporting scientific and commercial activities in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Meanwhile, NASA is focusing on its lunar exploration projects, such as the Artemis program, which involves building a Lunar Gateway station and landing humans on the Moon.

Partnership

The partnership aims to support NASA’s Commercial LEO Development program (CLDP), which seeks to foster a vibrant LEO economy and enable new scientific and commercial opportunities in space. The companies will also explore leveraging Northrop Grumman’s engineering expertise to design and develop Starlab, which will be launched before the International Space Station (ISS) is retired.

The Cygnus spacecraft, which has already delivered over 138,000 pounds of cargo to the ISS in 19 missions, will be upgraded with a fully autonomous docking system, allowing it to rendezvous and dock with Starlab without human intervention. This technology is crucial for complex and deep space operations and for enhancing safety and efficiency.

The Cygnus spacecraft will provide pressurized cargo to Starlab for five years, supporting future human spaceflight missions. The spacecraft has also demonstrated various advanced capabilities, such as serving as a laboratory, deploying satellites, and boosting the ISS orbit.

Steve Krein, Vice President of Civil and Commercial Space at Northrop Grumman, said that the company is committed to the future of commercial LEO and that its new role with Starlab aligns with NASA’s vision of encouraging commercial space station development.

Dylan Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Voyager Space, said that the collaboration is a significant step forward for the Starlab program and that Northrop Grumman’s technical capability and success in cargo resupply services will be instrumental in accelerating Starlab’s development. He added that the partnership will also advance critical technology for deep space exploration. He is thrilled to have Northrop Grumman on the Starlab team.

The announcement comes after Voyager Space and Airbus Defence and Space revealed their agreement to form a transatlantic joint venture to develop and operate Starlab, ensuring a continued human presence in LEO. Starlab will offer various services and facilities for research, manufacturing, tourism, and entertainment in space.

This move was expected to expand the customer base of Starlab to include European countries and agencies interested in conducting microgravity research in LEO.

The collaboration between Voyager Space and Airbus Defence and Space was further strengthened by forming a joint venture between the two companies, announced on August 2, 2023. The joint venture would be in charge of constructing and operating Starlab. Lockheed Martin was no longer involved in the project, as its role was taken over by Airbus Defence and Space.

Development

The Starlab project was initiated in October 2021 by Nanoracks, a leading provider of commercial space services; Voyager Space, a significant shareholder of Nanoracks and a space exploration company; and Lockheed Martin, a renowned aerospace and defense company. The project was one of the three proposals selected by NASA in December 2021 to receive funding under the CLD program. The Starlab team received $160 million, while the other two groups, led by Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman, respectively, received $130 million and $125.6 million (subject to congressional approval). These funds were awarded under Space Act Agreements, the first phase of a two-phase process that NASA intends to use to maintain a continuous U.S. presence in LEO.

The Starlab project passed the Systems Requirements Review (SRR) in June 2023, an evaluation conducted by NASA to assess the technical maturity and requirements of the station’s design. The SRR confirmed that Starlab met NASA’s standards for functionality, performance, security, and compatibility with other spacecraft.

The interior design of Starlab, especially the crew quarters and common areas, was entrusted to Hilton Worldwide. This global hospitality company had previously partnered with NASA on several space tourism and habitation projects.