The four milestones are part of NASA’s Space Act contract. Awarded in 2021. and habitat structural test subject focused on initial design, system integration, integrated operations, and habitat structural test plan reviews.
“These milestone achievements are great indicators of StarLab’s continued efforts and commitment to advancing its commercial space,” said Angela Hart, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development Program. “As we look forward to the future of low-Earth orbit, each successful milestone is one step closer to building a dynamic and robust commercialized low-Earth orbit.”
A commercial space station is designed to be launched on a single flight and consists of a large habitation and laboratory module with a smaller service module for power and propulsion.
Earlier this year, Starlab Space completed a preliminary design review of a structural test article, supported by NASA. The structural test subject is an engineering development unit of the station’s habitation module, where astronauts will spend most of their time living and working on the future commercial floor. An engineering development unit is a physical model used to test and verify the design of a project, such as a space station.
Starlab also recently shared a test plan for the structural test article, which includes qualification tests of the development unit, from welding verification to proof pressure and static load testing. During a proof pressure test, a spacecraft component or system is subjected to a pressure significantly higher than normal operating pressure to verify its structural integrity, and a static load test measures the response of a component or system under an applied load. Measures.
In addition, Starlab completed integration operations and system integration reviews. These reviews included a comprehensive look at system and station architecture, segment interfaces, and program goals as well as program requirements.
Starlab is also set to complete a preliminary design review and Phase 1 safety review by the end of the year. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate that the station design meets the system requirements, including verification of human spaceflight, with acceptable risk. The security review will summarize the current design and general security procedures for the destination.
NASA is supporting the design and development of several commercial space stations, including StarLab, through funded and unfunded contracts. After the current design and development phase, services will be procured from one or more companies, where NASA aims to launch low-Earth orbit sites. To be one of many users.
NASA’s low-Earth orbit microgravity strategy builds on the agency’s extensive human spaceflight experience to advance future scientific and research goals. As International Space Station Near the end of operations, NASA plans to transition to a new low-Earth orbit model to continue taking advantage of microgravity advantages. Through commercial partnerships, NASA aims to maintain its leadership in microgravity research and ensure continued benefits to humanity.
Learn more about NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy:
https://www.nasa.gov/leomicrogravitystrategy
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claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov
Anna Schneider
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anna.c.schneider@nasa.gov