STAR Labs

The core challenge of satellite‑to‑ground optical communications is that although laser links provide high bandwidth and secure connections, the Earth’s atmosphere, cloud cover, and extreme pointing precision required make optical communication less reliable than radio communication.  STAR Labs is investigating methods to overcome this communication link to allow for repeatable and reliable optical data exchanges between satellites and Earth. 

Living in microgravity is fundamentally hard because the human body is built for 1‑g.  The core challenge: every major physiological system begins to decondition, reorganize, or malfunction when gravity disappears, and daily life becomes a constant battle against drifting objects, fluid shifts, and loss of mechanical loading.   STAR Labs is designing rotating space stations to solve the biological problems of living in zero gravity by creating artificial gravity through centrifugal force.  

Earth observation satellites (EOS) detect events on Earth by continuously imaging, measuring, and analyzing changes on the planet’s surface and in the atmosphere. STAR Labs is combining the power of AI and EOS to analyze data real-time on orbit and provide immediate results for time-sensitive activities. Real‑time EOS data management turns “what happened” into “what’s happening right now,” enabling faster decisions, earlier warnings, and more precise interventions.  

Lunar habitat development is progressing through a phased, infrastructure‑first strategy that combines robotic scouting, in‑situ resource utilization (ISRU), autonomous construction, and eventually nuclear/solar power to support permanent human presence on the Moon.  STAR Labs studies strategic approaches to habitat development including early-stage settlement, transport methods, core infrastructure development, environment resilience, to long term habitat management.  

Regolith‑based 3D printing is the leading strategy for building lunar infrastructure without hauling massive construction materials from Earth.  Regolith can be transformed into strong, load‑bearing structures using sintering, laser melting, digital‑light‑processing, and binder‑jetting techniques.   Current research focuses on sintering, photopolymerization, and hybrid methods that turn raw lunar soil into structural elements for habitats, landing pads, radiation shielding, and roads. 

Superconductivity in satellite propulsion uses superconducting magnets and conductors to   enable “propellant‑lean” or propellantless thrust.  STAR Labs research focuses on cryogenic management, quench protection, and mechanical robustness of superconducting systems under launch and microgravity condition.   Superconductors unlock high‑performance electromagnetic propulsion that changes what satellites can do and how long satellites can operate in orbit.