Starlab Completes NASA Commercial Critical Design Review

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 23, 2026--

Starlab Space LLC, developer of a next-generation commercial space station, has successfully completed its Commercial Critical Design Review (CCDR) with NASA in attendance, marking a decisive transition from design to manufacturing and systems integration. The CCDR data supports the 28th milestone on the NASA Commercial LEO Destinations Space Act Agreement.

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The milestone confirms that Starlab’s architecture, safety approach and performance requirements are technically mature, integrated and executable, allowing the program to move beyond design validation and fully into fabrication, testing and assembly.

In parallel with the technical review, Starlab completed a review of the business plan and business model, validating the commercial intent underpinning the Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) program. The business plan substantiates a sustainable, robust revenue model, demonstrates ISS-equivalent payload and crew capabilities, and confirms Starlab is being developed as a market-driven platform rather than a government-dependent asset.

“Completing CCDR is a critical step in delivering continuous access to low Earth orbit, with no gap in capability to science, industry or national interests,” said Marshall Smith, CEO of Starlab. “This confirms Starlab is executable at scale and that our timeline aligns with ISS transition requirements. Equally important, our CCDR business plan review demonstrates that Starlab is being built around a real, diversified commercial market – one that supports sustained human presence and research in low Earth orbit.”

This achievement reflects years of disciplined engineering, close coordination with NASA, ESA, and JAXA, and strong collaboration across a global team, including Voyager Technologies, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir Technologies, and Space Applications Services. It validates both Starlab’s technical maturity and the credibility of the underlying business case.

About Starlab

Starlab Space is a U.S.-led, global joint venture among Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG), Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir Technologies, and Space Applications Services, with strategic partners including Hilton, Journey, Northrop Grumman, and The Ohio State University. Starlab 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. Starlab's advanced, user-driven design and robust capabilities make it a premier platform for scientific discovery and technological advancement in space. For more information, visit starlab-space.com.

Starlab Space, developer of a next-generation commercial space station, has successfully completed its Commercial Critical Design Review, allowing the program to move beyond design validation and fully into fabrication, testing and assembly. The milestone further positions Starlab to maintain continuity of human presence and research in low Earth orbit.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees activated Cody Bellinger from the injured list Sunday after the outfielder missed 25 games with a strained left hamstring.

Bellinger batted fourth and started in left field for his first game since July 25 in Philadelphia. Bellinger went 1 for 4 in New York’s 4-3 win over Toronto, striking out twice with a runner on base before hitting a single off Brendon Little and scoring on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s two-run homer in the seventh inning.

“I felt all right,” Bellinger said. “I felt I was a little jumpy early on and in that fourth at-bat I was able to settle down a little bit.”

Bellinger returned after suffered a Grade 2 strain while running the bases following a double and the Yankees said he would miss four to six weeks.

“I think he was expanding a little bit early, and then he got into a 3-1 count against a tough lefty to square it up against and smokes the ball up the middle,” manager Aaron Boone said. “So that was good to see. A good way for him to kind of finish in his first game back.”

Bellinger is hitting .259 with 11 homers and 53 RBIs in 103 games this season. He batted .228 in New York’s first month after losing Aaron Judge to a stress fracture in his right rib but is hitting .362 in his last 13 games, though he is on a 32-game homerless streak — the second-longest of his career.

After batting .272 with 29 homers and 98 RBIs last season, Bellinger re-signed with the Yankees last winter for $162.5 million over five years and was the MVP of the All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia.

The Yankees went 14-11 in Bellinger’s absence and are three games behind the Rays in the AL East. New acquisition Heliot Ramos started 15 games in Bellinger’s absence and will likely see time in right field when the Yankees are facing a left-handed starter.

To make room for Bellinger, Max Schuemann was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. Schuemann is hitting .194 in 42 games for the Yankees and was recalled Friday when Ryan McMahon went on the IL with a sprained left thumb.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

New York Yankees' Cody Bellinger hits a single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)