Starlab Space and CSA Launch International Call for Microgravity Research
A new partnership between Starlab Space and the Center for Space and Aviation aims to bridge the gap between orbital research and terrestrial commercialization.
Starlab Space and the Center for Space and Aviation (CSA) Switzerland and Liechtenstein have launched an international Call for Proposals (CFP) to advance microgravity research and commercialization. The initiative provides researchers with access to opportunities aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to help mature commercial business models.
The CFP is a central component of a strategic partnership designed to integrate space-based research into terrestrial value chains. As part of this effort, a European "Science Park" and ground segment are being established in Dübendorf, Zurich. According to the University of Zurich, the Dübendorf site will be one of only three Starlab science parks globally, joining the George Washington Carver Science Park at Ohio State University and an Asian hub at iPark in Tokyo.
The Transition to Commercial Orbit
This initiative arrives as the global space community prepares for the decommissioning of the ISS, which is expected in 2030. Starlab Space—an international joint venture comprising Airbus, Voyager Space, Mitsubishi, and MDA Space—is positioning itself as a primary successor to the aging station. The company aims to launch its own commercial space station by 2029 to ensure there is no gap in orbital research capabilities.
To support this transition, Starlab is leveraging the expertise of the CSA, which operates as an alliance of 13 leading institutions. This network includes the University of Zurich (UZH), the University of St. Gallen, and the Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein. By creating a dedicated ground segment in Switzerland, the partners intend to streamline the pathway from laboratory preparation to low Earth orbit (LEO), specifically targeting advancements in pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, and biotechnology.
Driving the New Space Economy
The partnership signals a broader shift toward a "New Space Economy," where LEO is utilized for commercial manufacturing rather than exclusively for government-funded exploration. This includes high-value applications such as growing organoids from human stem cells, which can be achieved more effectively in microgravity.
Oliver Ullrich, Head of CSA, emphasized that for commercial space stations to be successful, they must be integrated into ground-based value chains. This integration allows the data and materials produced in space to be rapidly translated into marketable products on Earth. Michael Schaepman, President of UZH, further noted that by 2035, space travel is expected to be an integral part of the global economy.
Future Outlook
As the CFP opens to international applicants, the industry will be watching how effectively these early research projects can be scaled into viable businesses. The success of the Dübendorf hub will serve as a litmus test for the viability of commercial science parks as the primary interface between private industry and orbital platforms. While the 2029 launch target for the Starlab station remains the critical milestone, the current focus remains on utilizing the ISS to build the operational blueprints for the next generation of space commerce.