NEW ORLEANS, LA – Starlab Space LLC has selected Louisiana-based Vivace Corporation to manufacture the primary aluminum structure for its upcoming commercial space station. The structure, one of the largest ever developed for launch, will be fabricated at Vivace’s New Orleans facility with support from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility.
(Photo Courtesy of Starlab Space LLC)
The announcement marks a major milestone as Starlab advances toward its Critical Design Review in December. The station is designed to succeed the International Space Station by maintaining continuous astronaut presence in low-Earth orbit and supporting scientific research, technology development, and commercial activity.
“Selecting Vivace to lead the manufacturing of Starlab’s primary structure is a major milestone,” said Marshall Smith, Starlab CEO. “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.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised the decision, highlighting Michoud Assembly Facility’s role in U.S. human spaceflight programs. Development and testing of the structure are underway, with launch planned later this decade.
Starlab is a joint venture among Voyager Technologies, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, and Palantir Technologies, with strategic partners including Hilton, Northrop Grumman, and The Ohio State University. Vivace, founded in 2006, specializes in U.S. spaceflight systems, hypersonics, and launch vehicle markets.
