Starlab Space LLC has announced the opening of its first overseas subsidiary, Starlab Space GmbH, located in Bremen, Germany. This expansion highlights the company’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships, advancing microgravity research, and ensuring a permanent human presence in space. The new facility is poised to enhance collaboration with European space agencies and industrial partners, further driving innovation in the commercial low-Earth orbit (LEO) economy.
Tim Kopra, CEO of Starlab, emphasized the importance of global cooperation, stating, “The successful and sustainable operation of a commercial space station requires international partners, and therefore, a presence beyond America’s borders. We’re thrilled to launch Starlab Space Europe, which will facilitate industrial efficiencies and expand our collaborations with key partners such as the European Space Agency (ESA). This European presence sets the stage for a new era of permanent human life in low-Earth orbit, advancing research that can transform humanity.”
Starlab Space is a U.S.-led joint venture, collaborating with global leaders in the aerospace industry, including Voyager Space, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, and MDA Space. With the launch of Starlab Space GmbH, the company aims to recreate the international partnership network that contributed to the success of the International Space Station (ISS).
The European subsidiary is co-owned by Starlab and Airbus Defence and Space and will leverage Airbus’ cutting-edge space infrastructure. Situated in Bremen, Germany, the subsidiary benefits from the region’s rich aerospace workforce and advanced facilities, which have supported missions like the ISS Columbus Module and NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
Airbus veteran Manfred Jaumann has been appointed Managing Director of Starlab Space Europe. Jaumann brings 33 years of experience at Airbus, including his current role overseeing low-Earth orbit and suborbital programs.
With this expansion, Starlab aims to solidify its position as a leader in the next generation of AI-enabled commercial space stations, ensuring that microgravity research continues seamlessly as the ISS approaches its retirement.
