Three Cargo Missions Secured for Starlab Space
The Exploration Company Will Carry Supplies to the Space Station
A cargo services agreement for three pre-booked cargo transportation missions has been signed between Starlab Space and The Exploration Company. Under the terms of the contract, The Exploration Company will ferry cargo from Earth to the orbiting station and back.
“This agreement with The Exploration Company marks a pivotal moment for Starlab Space, affirming our commitment to international collaboration in the commercial space station era.”
Tim Kopra, Starlab Space
This agreement with The Exploration Company, a leading European commercial space entity developing the reusable space capsule ‘Nyx,’ underscores the strengthening alliance between Starlab Space and the European space industry.
“This agreement with The Exploration Company marks a pivotal moment for Starlab Space, affirming our commitment to international collaboration in the commercial space station era,” said Tim Kopra, CEO of Starlab Space. “By collaborating with esteemed European space entities like the Exploration Company, we reinforce our position that transformational discoveries in space are best enabled by global access to low-Earth orbit.”
Starlab is poised to cater to a diverse clientele comprising space agencies, researchers, and corporate entities globally, ensuring an uninterrupted human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and facilitating the seamless transition of microgravity research and technological advancement from the International Space Station (ISS) to the burgeoning era of commercial space stations.
Growing demand for transportation to and from commercial space stations is propelling the expansion of the commercial space station market. Starlab will be serviced by multiple cargo providers, including leading providers from the North America, Europe, and Asia.
The Exploration Company’s innovative space capsule, Nyx, intends to make logistical operations more accessible, sustainable, and collaborative. Nyx’s competitive pricing, reusability, and launch vehicle agnosticism, presents an optimal future solution to meet evolving market demands.
“Starlab’s dedication to advancing the accessibility and sustainability of space aligns seamlessly with our mission at The Exploration Company,” said Hélène Huby, CEO and co-founder of The Exploration Company. “Their commitment to fostering international collaboration and their innovative approach to exploration and accessibility made them an obvious choice as a partner. We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Starlab and look forward to the groundbreaking achievements this collaboration will bring.”
In an era where space exploration is no longer confined to national boundaries, collaborations like this between Starlab Space and The Exploration Company exemplify the global effort towards advancing humanity’s presence in space. As both entities forge ahead with their shared vision of accessible and sustainable space exploration, this agreement underscores the importance of international cooperation in driving innovation and fostering economic growth in the space industry.
In a related development, Starlab Space has named Brad Henderson as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer. As CCO, Henderson will be responsible for overseeing the business strategy, market generation, and revenue management of all commercial aspects of Starlab Space across its international footprint.
Prior to joining Starlab, Henderson served as the Vice President of Space Habitation at Sierra Space, where he led space station development efforts, identified commercial space station uses, collaborated with non-traditional space industries, and developed commercial facilities and systems. Additionally, he served as the Habitation product line manager for Sierra Space’s LIFE habitat. Henderson also spent nearly three years at Sierra Nevada Corporation where he was focused on its NASA portfolio and eventually helped develop the business approach for Sierra Space. NASA programs he supported include: NextSTEP-2 inflatable habitat program, Mars Transit Vehicle, Lunar Surface habitat, Orbital Outpost, Human Landing systems logistics vehicle, and other programs.
“The team at Starlab Space has made incredible strides in bringing this next generation commercial space station to life and I look forward to being a part of its ongoing development and helping to guide the business strategy as chief commercial officer,” Henderson said.