WASHINGTON — Commercial space station developer Starlab Space has added Palantir Technologies as a strategic partner, seeking to use its artificial intelligence capabilities to support station operations.
The companies announced the partnership June 20 but did not disclose financial details associated with it. Starlab described the partnership as a “strategic teaming agreement” similar to one it announced in October 2023 with Northrop Grumman.
Under the agreement, the companies will use Palantir software to develop a digital twin, or software-based model, of the Starlab station. That digital twin will be used to optimize operations of the station, detect potential issues and identify preventative maintenance.
“Palantir’s advanced AI technologies will revolutionize how space stations are managed and operated,” Tim Kopra, chief executive of Starlab Space, said in a statement. “Further, Palantir’s expertise in data analytics and predictive modeling will drive innovation and efficiency across the entirety of our joint venture.”
Palantir has not emphasized any work it has done in commercial space to date but has been involved in national security space through contracts with the U.S. Space Force. That included a $110.3 million contract one year ago that extended its work on a cloud platform project called Warp Core.
“We could not be more enthusiastic about our partnership as we work to extend our competitive edge through the provision of decisive and real-time intelligence around the world and in space,” Alex Carp, chief executive of Palantir, said of the agreement with Starlab in a statement.
Starlab Space is a joint venture announced by Voyager Space and Airbus Defence and Space in August 2023. Mitsubishi took a stake in Starlab in April, followed by MDA Space in May. Besides the partnerships with Northrop Grumman and Palantir, Starlab has a “design and experience” partnership with Hilton Hotels.
“Our team encompasses the best aerospace corporations globally and now with Palantir, we join with advanced technology leaders that will transform the efficiency, sustainability and safety of human space exploration,” Dylan Taylor, chairman and chief executive of Voyager Space, said in a statement.
The goal of the joint venture is to launch a commercial space station late this decade to serve NASA and other space agencies as well as commercial customers as a successor to the International Space Station. The station, featuring a single large habitation and lab module, is designed to launch on SpaceX’s Starship vehicle.
Starlab Space is one of three companies, alongside Axiom Space and Blue Origin, with NASA funding to support design work on those stations and, in the case of Axiom, install a commercial module on the ISS. Other companies, such as Vast and Gravitics, are also working on commercial space station concepts.