After ISS: The private space station era is dawning – “At long last we are entering a new chapter in our exploration of space, that of private space stations in different orbits, with different objectives.”

From the article

>”At long last we are entering a new chapter in our exploration of space, that of private space stations in different orbits, with different objectives,” said Jeffrey Manber, President, International and Space Stations for Voyager Space. 

>The group’s Starlab Space LLC is a global joint venture between Voyager Space, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, and MDA Space. It’s a “no assembly required” venture to be hurled into orbit via a [SpaceX Starship](https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy.html).

>Manber told [Space.com](http://Space.com) that the motivating factor for Starlab is the end of the International Space Station (ISS), due to be de-orbited in 2030. 

>”The ISS has already been in orbit for over two decades, well past its expected life-time,” Manber said. “As wonderful an orbiting station as it has been, it is well past its prime and like an old house, in increasing need of repairs.”

>That dawn of private station stations has been bolstered by NASA and the U.S. Congress, said Manber, creating a pathway to assure a robust and cost-efficient space program in low-Earth orbit.