STARLAB SPACE ESTABLISHES EUROPEAN HUB IN ZURICH

Starlab Space sets up at Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich to drive commercial space station R&D and microgravity life sciences.

“We have the universities, the qualified workforce, and the commitment from authorities that have decided to make space one of the top sectors to develop by 2050.”

Prof. Dr. Oliver Ullrich

Chairman, Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Starlab Space, a joint venture between Airbus, Voyager Space, Mitsubishi Corporation, and MDA Space, is developing the next generation of commercial space stations to succeed the International Space Station (ISS). With operations scheduled to begin before the ISS’s retirement in 2030, Starlab is designed to enable continuous human presence and scientific activity in low Earth orbit (LEO). Starlab aims to facilitate space-based manufacturing and research in areas such as stem cell-derived tissue engineering, pharmaceutical formulation, and advanced materials development all under microgravity conditions.

In late 2024, Starlab Space signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich and the Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This partnership designates the Parkas Starlab’s European hub, focused on advancing R&D in biomedicine, pharmacology, and biotechnology for space-based applications. Switzerland was chosen for its strong life sciences ecosystem, innovation infrastructure, and strategic academic relationships with institutions like ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich 

The Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich located near the Dübendorf Airfield offers unique infrastructure for aerospace development. The hub will also explore how artificial intelligence and robotics can enhance space research. With industry and academic partners, Starlab plans to make Switzerland a core contributor to the commercialization of orbital science and space habitation over the coming decades.

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