Starlab Selects Vivace to Manufacture Primary Structure for Commercial Space Station
Starlab Space LLC has chosen Vivace Corporation to manufacture the primary structure of its next-generation commercial space station. The aluminum-based structure, among the largest single spaceflight structures ever developed, will be built at Vivace's New Orleans facility with support from the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF).
The project aims to extend the International Space Station's legacy by providing continuous access to low-Earth orbit for scientific research, technology development, and commercial applications. As NASA's most capable Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) concept, Starlab will support a continuous astronaut presence and serve various national and international users. The station's development is progressing toward its Critical Design Review in December, with launch planned for later this decade.
Starlab Space LLC ha scelto Vivace Corporation per realizzare la struttura principale della sua prossima stazione spaziale commerciale di nuova generazione. La struttura a base di alluminio, tra le più grandi mai concepite per un singolo volo, sarà costruita presso l’impianto di Vivace a New Orleans con il supporto del Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF).
Il progetto intende proseguire l’eredità della Stazione Spaziale Internazionale offrendo un accesso continuo all’orbita terrestre bassa per la ricerca scientifica, lo sviluppo tecnologico e applicazioni commerciali. In quanto destinazione commerciale LEO (CLD) più capace della NASA, Starlab garantirà una presenza costante di astronauti e servirà utenti nazionali e internazionali. Lo sviluppo della stazione procede verso la Critical Design Review a dicembre, con lancio previsto entro la decade.
Starlab Space LLC ha elegido a Vivace Corporation para fabricar la estructura principal de su próxima estación espacial comercial de nueva generación. La estructura, basada en aluminio y una de las más grandes construidas para un único vuelo, se levantará en las instalaciones de Vivace en Nueva Orleans con apoyo del Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF).
El proyecto busca ampliar el legado de la Estación Espacial Internacional al proporcionar acceso continuo a la órbita baja para investigación científica, desarrollo tecnológico y aplicaciones comerciales. Como la opción de destino comercial LEO (CLD) más capable de la NASA, Starlab mantendrá una presencia continua de astronautas y atenderá a usuarios de múltiples naciones e internacionales. El desarrollo de la estación avanza hacia su Revisión Crítica de Diseño en diciembre, con un lanzamiento previsto para más adelante de esta década.
Starlab Space LLC가 차세대 상업용 우주정거장의 기본 구조를 제조하기 위해 Vivace Corporation을 선정했습니다. 알루미늄 기반의 이 구조물은 단일 임무로서는 가장 큰 규모 중 하나이며, 뉴올리언스의 Vivace 시설에서 MAF(Michoud Assembly Facility)의 지원을 받아 제작됩니다.
이 프로젝트의 목표는 국제우주정거장(I.S.S.)의 유산을 확장해 과학 연구, 기술 개발 및 상업적 응용을 위한 저지구 궤도에 대한 지속적인 접근을 제공하는 것입니다. NASA의 가장 강력한 상업 LEO 목적지(CL D) 개념으로서 Starlab은 우주인 상주를 지속적으로 유지하고 각국 및 국제 사용자를 지원할 것입니다. 정거장의 개발은 12월의 Critical Design Review를 향해 진행 중이며, 올해 말 이후 이 십년 내 발사가 계획되어 있습니다.
Starlab Space LLC a choisi Vivace Corporation pour fabriquer la structure principale de sa prochaine station spatiale commerciale de nouvelle génération. La structure à base d’aluminium, l’une des plus grandes jamais conçues pour une mission unique, sera construite sur l’installation de Vivace à New Orleans avec le soutien du Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF).
Le projet vise à prolonger l’héritage de la Station spatiale internationale en offrant un accès continu à l’orbite basse pour la recherche scientifique, le développement technologique et les applications commerciales. En tant que Destination Commerciale LEO (CLD) la plus performante de la NASA, Starlab assurera une présence continue d’astronautes et desservira des utilisateurs nationaux et internationaux. Le développement de la station progresse vers sa Critical Design Review en décembre, avec un lancement prévu plus tard dans la décennie.
Starlab Space LLC hat Vivace Corporation ausgewählt, um die Primärstruktur seiner nächsten Generation kommerziellen Weltraumstation zu fertigen. Die aluminiumbasierte Struktur gehört zu den größten einzelnen Raumfahrtstrukturen, die je entwickelt wurden, und wird am Standort von Vivace in New Orleans mit Unterstützung des Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) gebaut.
Ziel des Projekts ist es, das Erbe der Internationalen Raumstation zu verlängern, indem kontinuierlicher Zugang zur niedrigen Erdumlaufbahn für wissenschaftliche Forschung, Technologentwicklung und kommerzielle Anwendungen bereitgestellt wird. Als NASA’s leistungsstärkstes Commercial LEO Destination (CLD)-Konzept wird Starlab eine stetige Präsenz von Astronauten ermöglichen und nationale sowie internationale Nutzer bedienen. Die Entwicklung der Station schreitet Richtung Critical Design Review im Dezember voran, der Start ist für später in diesem Jahrzehnt geplant.
اختارت شركة Starlab Space LLC شركة Vivace Corporation لتصنيع الهيكل الأساسي لمحطتها الفضائية التجارية من الجيل الجديد. سيتم بناء الهيكل القائم على الألومنيوم، وهو من بين أكبر الهياكل التي طورت لرحلة فضائية واحدة، في منشأة Vivace بنيو أورلينز بدعم من Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF).
يهدف المشروع إلى توسيع إرث محطة الفضاء الدولية من خلال توفير وصول مستمر إلى المدار الأرضي المنخفض للبحث العلمي وتطوير التكنولوجيا والتطبيقات التجارية. كونها الوجهة التجارية الوحيدة الأكثر قدرة في ناسا (CLD)، ستدعم Starlab وجوداً مستمراً لرواد الفضاء وتخدم مستخدمين وطنيين ودوليين مختلفين. يتقدم تطوير المحطة نحو المراجعة التصميمية الحاسمة (CDR) في ديسمبر، مع إطلاق مخطط له في وقت لاحق من هذا العقد.
Starlab Space LLC 已选择 Vivace Corporation 来制造其下一代商业太空站的主要结构。这一以铝为基材的结构将成为有史以来为单次飞行而开发的最大结构之一，将在 Vivace 位于新奥尔良的工厂制造，并得到 Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) 的支持。
该项目旨在通过为科学研究、技术开发和商业应用提供对低地球轨道的持续访问，延续国际空间站的遗产。作为 NASA 最强大的商业低地轨道目的地(CL D) 概念，Starlab 将支持持续的宇航员驻留，并为多国及国际用户提供服务。站点的开发正向关键设计评审（CDR）推进，计划在本十年晚些时候发射。
- Selection of established manufacturer Vivace brings expertise in large-scale aerospace manufacturing
- Project leverages existing infrastructure at Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) for specialized manufacturing
- Starlab positioned as most capable of NASA's Commercial LEO Destination concepts
- Development progressing towards Critical Design Review milestone in December
- Complex manufacturing process of one of the largest space structures in history presents technical challenges
- Launch timeline extends to 'later this decade' indicating significant wait before operational status
Insights
Starlab's selection of Vivace to build its space station's primary structure marks a significant industrial partnership advancing NASA's commercial LEO strategy.
This partnership between Starlab Space LLC and Vivace Corporation represents a significant industrial milestone in the development of commercial space infrastructure. The agreement tasks Vivace with manufacturing what will be one of the largest single spaceflight structures ever developed for launch - the aluminum-based primary structure for Starlab's commercial space station.
Starlab is positioned as NASA's most capable Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) concept, designed to provide continuity after the International Space Station's retirement. The selection of Vivace leverages their advanced aerospace engineering capabilities alongside specialized facilities at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in Louisiana - a facility with historical significance dating back to WWII that now serves as a multi-tenant aerospace manufacturing hub.
From an engineering perspective, this represents a complex manufacturing challenge requiring precision engineering for a structure that must withstand launch forces while maintaining integrity for long-duration spaceflight. The project will utilize Vivace's high-Technology Readiness Level (TRL) capabilities, indicating mature, flight-proven engineering approaches rather than experimental technologies.
The timing of this announcement is significant as it precedes Starlab's Critical Design Review scheduled for December - a crucial engineering milestone where the detailed design is evaluated before proceeding to full-scale manufacturing. With development of the flight article already underway and launch planned for later this decade, this manufacturing partnership represents a concrete step toward establishing persistent commercial capabilities in low-Earth orbit following the eventual decommissioning of the ISS.
This agreement marks a major milestone in the development of Starlab and another step toward its Critical Design Review in December.
HOUSTON and
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.
"Selecting Vivace to lead the manufacturing of Starlab's primary structure is a major milestone," said Marshall Smith, Starlab CEO. "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.
"Vivace is honored to be selected as Starlab's partner for this groundbreaking program," said Steve Cook, Chairman of Vivace. "Manufacturing one of the largest space structures in our nation's history demands precision, expertise, and proven processes. Leveraging Vivace's high-TRL capabilities and facilities in
The program will use Vivace's
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.
About Starlab
Starlab Space is a
About Vivace International
Founded in 2006 and based in NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility near New
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starlab-selects-vivace-to-manufacture-primary-structure-for-commercial-space-station-302564987.html
SOURCE Starlab
FAQ
What is Starlab's partnership with Vivace Corporation for the commercial space station?
When will the Starlab space station be operational?
What is the purpose of the Starlab commercial space station?
Where will the Starlab space station structure be manufactured?
What is the next major milestone for Starlab's development?
