HOUSTON and NEW ORLEANS - Starlab Space LLC has selected Vivace Corporation to manufacture the primary structure for its next-generation commercial space station. The aluminum-based structure, one of the largest single spaceflight structures ever developed for launch, will be built at Vivace's facility in New Orleans, La., with additional development and testing support from the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in Louisiana.
Starlab is designed to extend the legacy of the International Space Station and provide uninterrupted access to low-Earth orbit for scientific research, technology development and commercial applications. As the most capable of NASA's Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) concepts, Starlab will offer a continuous astronaut presence and support a wide range of national and international users.
Marshall Smith, Starlab CEO, said, "Selecting Vivace to lead the manufacturing of Starlab's primary structure is a major milestone. Starlab is meticulously engineered to deliver scalability, reliability, and mission-critical research to our partners. This collaboration is instrumental in transforming that vision into reality, perpetuating the ISS legacy, and ensuring NASA and its international partners continue to have seamless access to orbit in the post-ISS era."
Vivace will leverage its advanced aerospace engineering expertise, collaborating with Starlab and its international partners, to finalize the design-to-manufacture and begin the manufacturing process for the primary structure.
The program will use Vivace's New Orleans facility at MAF for fabrication, with support from U.S. Government partners for subject matter expertise, structural analysis and potential test infrastructure. MAF will also support specialized large-scale manufacturing and assembly operations.
Development is underway on the station's flight article, with a rigorous testing campaign ahead of its historic launch later this decade. Once operational, Starlab will deliver sustained, unmatched research and commercial opportunities in microgravity, supporting life sciences, advanced materials and technology demonstrations for government and private sector customers.
