#USA #New Orleans #Starlab #VIVACE #Commercial Space Station

Starlab Chooses Vivace for Groundbreaking Space Station Project

Starlab Space LLC has made a significant move in the aerospace sector by choosing Vivace Corporation to manufacture the primary structure of its next-generation commercial space station. This advancement marks a crucial milestone ahead of Starlab's critical design review scheduled for December this year.

The primary structure, which is made from aluminum, is one of the largest single spaceflight structures ever conceived for launch. Vindicating its commitment to aerospace excellence, Vivace has been entrusted with constructing this gargantuan structure at its facility located in New Orleans, Louisiana, while also receiving additional development and testing support from the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in Louisiana.

With the vision of extending the legacy of the International Space Station (ISS), Starlab aims to offer continuous access to low Earth orbit for scientific research and commercial applications. As the most advanced of NASA's Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination (CLD) initiatives, Starlab promises a sustained astronaut presence and will cater to a variety of national and international users.

Starlab's CEO, Marshall Smith, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, "Choosing Vivace to spearhead the manufacturing of Starlab's primary structure marks a major development in our mission. The Starlab has been engineered for scalability, reliability, and mission-critical research, and this collaboration is imperative for bringing that vision to life. It perpetuates the ISS legacy while ensuring uninterrupted access to orbital research for NASA and our international partners, especially relevant in the post-ISS era."

Vivace aims to leverage its advanced aerospace engineering know-how in partnership with Starlab and international collaborators to finalize the transition from design to manufacturing. Steve Cook, Chairman of Vivace, expressed pride in being selected for this transformative program, underlining, "Manufacturing one of the largest space structures in our nation's history requires precision, expertise, and tried-and-true processes. Our high-TRL capabilities and notable facilities in Louisiana enable us to participate in this significant project that supports U.S. leadership in human spaceflight."

The primary structure will be fabricated at Vivace's New Orleans facility, with backing from U.S. government entities, who will provide expertise, structural analysis, and potential testing infrastructure to support the project. The Michoud Assembly Facility will (MAF) further back specialized large-scale manufacturing and assembly operations critical for this initiative.

Louisiana's Governor, Jeff Landry, acknowledged the collaboration: "We are thrilled that Vivace Corporation and Starlab will utilize NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in developing the structures for the Starlab spacecraft. Our human spaceflight program is crucial for U.S. national security, and leveraging this high-caliber facility is integral to ensuring our continued leadership in aerospace."

With development on Starlab's flight article underway, an extensive testing regimen will follow before its anticipated launch later in the decade. Upon operations commencement, Starlab aims to provide unparalleled opportunities in microgravity for a range of research and commercial endeavors, focusing on life sciences, advanced materials, and technology demonstrations targeted at both governmental and private sector stakeholders.

About Starlab

Starlab Space is a U.S.-led global joint venture comprising Voyager Technologies, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, and Palantir Technologies, among others. The venture aims to create a next-generation, AI-driven commercial space station that guarantees an enduring human presence in low-Earth orbit and facilitates a seamless transition for microgravity science as the ISS reaches the end of its operational life. The robust capabilities and innovative design of Starlab make it an advanced platform for scientific exploration and technological progress in space.

For more details, please visit starlab-space.com.

About Vivace International

Founded in 2006, Vivace is based in NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and specializes in mission-critical product development, engineering, and management services for U.S. spaceflight systems, hypersonics, and launch vehicle markets. Vivace offers a variety of products, including flight hardware, ground support equipment, tooling, and engineering services. Its comprehensive approach ensures the delivery of high-performance, efficient solutions across the development cycle.

Learn more about Vivace at Vivace.com.