A Commercial Space Station Called 'Starlab' Could Replace The ISS
The International Space Station (ISS) operations will end in 2030, after which it will fall into the Pacific Ocean. But what comes after it? Many private space companies are designing space stations of their own, and one such floating laboratory is being called "Starlab" that could replace the ISS.
On Wednesday, Airbus announced that it was teaming up with Voyager Space to "develop, build and operate" the world's first commercial space station intended to serve National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA).
ISS' successor in place
The space station will be home to NASA and ESA astronauts who will undertake space experiments in microgravity. These experiments will pertain to disease eradication, management of natural disasters, food production improvement, and ways to further improve exploration of the Solar System, Telegraph reported.
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Quarters for the crew are being designed by the hotel brand Hilton. Meanwhile, NASA is currently developing a space tug to safely deorbit the ISS in 2030 after a strained relationship with Russia and the deteriorating state of the station compelled the US to announce its impending retirement.
In 2021, NASA awarded a Space Act Agreement (SAA) worth $160 million to develop a new space station that would serve as the replacement to ISS. In June this year, it passed NASA's system requirements and will now move on to the system design review phase before the final selection.
Also read:?More Windows, Please! Astronauts Share Suggestions For Future Space Stations
NASA is looking at several options and could end up commissioning multiple space stations. If all goes well, Starlab could be launched before the ISS is deorbited. Originally, the team intended to develop a lightweight inflatable space station but now, they've changed the design to be fixed metallic module.
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