The Ohio State University is proud to serve as the lead academic partner for the George Washington Carver Science Park, a hub for microgravity research and development that will also provide unique access to ground hardware for the Starlab commercial space station.
Our other founding partner is Starlab Space, a U.S.-led, global joint venture that is developing a next-generation, AI-enabled commercial space station, aiming to ensure continued human presence in low-Earth orbit and a seamless transition of microgravity science and research alongside the retirement of the International Space Station.
About
We're creating a sustainable space economy that requires a strong Earth to space connection and state-of-the-art ground infrastructure. The Ohio State University, as lead academic partner, and the George Washington Carver Science Park serve as the U.S. ground research location for Starlab Space.
Who are we?
Ohio State is the lead academic partner for both Starlab and the GWCSP. Ohio State was part of the original proposal to NASA’s Commercial low-Earth Orbit Destinations program in which Voyager Technologies was initially awarded ~$165M (since increased to $217M) to begin development of Starlab.
Starlab’s key partners include: Voyager Technologies (lead), Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir, Northrop Grumman, Hilton, and The Ohio State University.
The Ohio State University will serve as the lead partner for Starlab and the Carver Science Park, with five major roles in the partnership:
1 Development of the global research and stakeholder community for Starlab
2 Contribution of key scientific and engineering expertise to Starlab, in areas such as controlled environment agriculture and materials science and engineering
3 Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and new company development from Starlab research and activities
4 Workforce Development, Student Engagement, and Success in Starlab
5 Hosting the U.S. location for the George Washington Carver Science Park on the larger Ohio State campus.
Three Legs of the United States Space Enterprise
Why this partnership is important
Ohio State’s leading university role in both Starlab and the GWCSP brings a new commercial space anchor to the center of Ohio. This anchor complements and fortifies Ohio’s national security hub: Wright Patterson Air Force Base – home to the Air Force Research Lab, National Space Intelligence Center, and other space-research and national security development assets –and Ohio’s civil space hub: NASA’s Glenn Research Center and Armstrong Test Facility.
No other state can claim to steward anchors across all three key dimensions of U.S. spaceflight activities -– national security, civil, and commercial -– giving Ohio a first-mover advantage in leveraging these assets to generate positive social, economic, educational, and quality-of-life outcomes for our citizens, and positioning us as a global leader in the future of spaceflight.
George Washington Carver Science Park
A first-of-its-kind university research park dedicated to commercial spaceflight research and economic development.
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Our Team
We blend expertise in space research and business to drive innovation and economic growth.
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Our Partners
We’re proud to be the lead university partner to both Starlab and the George Washington Carver Science Park. Together, we’re fostering the next generation of space exploration and discovery.
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Starlab Space Station
Starlab is a state-of-the-art space station designed to facilitate groundbreaking research and innovation.
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