Starlab
After Mitsubishi Corporation, DigitalBlast becomes the second enterprise in Japan and the Asia region to reserve capacity on Starlab, driving forward post-ISS space utilization.
CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN, July 24, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — DigitalBlast, Inc. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Shingo Horiguchi), a firm dedicated to advancing the space industry and fostering new business creation, today announced that it has entered into a Reservation Agreement for the use of the commercial space station “Starlab” with Starlab Space LLC (headquartered in Houston, Texas, U.S.), the station’s developer and operator, and a signing ceremony was recently held.
● Overview of the Reservation Agreement
Under this Reservation Agreement, DigitalBlast secures an advance allocation for utilization aboard Starlab — the next-generation commercial space station set to succeed the International Space Station (ISS), which is expected to be retired around 2030 — in order to offer services that leverage the space environment.
The signing of a Starlab reservation agreement by a Japanese entity follows the one announced by Mitsubishi Corporation in January 2026, positioning DigitalBlast as the second such company in Japan and the Asia region. As interest in commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) utilization intensifies ahead of the post-ISS era, DigitalBlast will act as a user-integration partner for R&D that applies the space environment practically, and will strive to establish itself as one of the gateways allowing companies and research institutions in Japan and the broader Asia region to reach orbit.
● Signing Details
・Agreement name
Starlab Reservation Agreement
・Counterparty
Starlab Space LLC (HQ: Houston, Texas, U.S.)
・Signing date
July 14, 2026
・Signatories
Shingo Horiguchi (President & CEO, DigitalBlast, Inc.)
Thomas E. Ayres (General Counsel, Starlab Space LLC)
●Planned Payload
・Onboard computer
A product being developed by DigitalBlast based on “Orbital Data Center Construction Technology,” a theme adopted under the JAXA Space Strategic Fund (lead institution: SpaceBlast, Inc.).
●About the Starlab Space Station
・Name
Starlab
・Operator
Starlab Space LLC
・Joint-venture partners (in no particular order)
A U.S.-led global joint venture among Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG), Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir Technologies, and Space Applications Services.
・Reference
https://starlab-space.com/
●Comments
・Shingo Horiguchi, President & CEO, DigitalBlast, Inc.:
“As the retirement of the International Space Station approaches, the use of low Earth orbit is shifting from the demonstration phase toward full-scale commercial utilization. Being among the first to secure a utilization allocation aboard Starlab, the world’s most advanced commercial space station, is a major step toward implementing in orbit the technologies and services we have cultivated and advancing Japan’s use of the space environment to the next stage. We intend to build the foundation that will serve as a bridge that enables Japanese companies and research institutions to use low Earth orbit in the post-ISS era. Together with Starlab and partners around the world, we will continue to create ‘value in space’ by expanding the utilization of the space environment.”
・Kohei Okamura, Director of Business Development, Starlab Space LLC:
“We are delighted to have signed a reservation agreement with DigitalBlast — a company with a proven track record in space-environment utilization in Japan and a strong commitment to advanced technology development — for the use of Starlab. The company’s technologies and services will strongly support the commercial use of low Earth orbit in the post-ISS era and the creation of new value that harnesses the space environment. Going forward, together with DigitalBlast, we will expand opportunities to use low Earth orbit and work to create an environment in which more companies and research institutions can pursue new business and technology development on Starlab.”
●Background: Toward Space-Environment Utilization in the Post-ISS Era
With the International Space Station (ISS) slated for retirement in 2030, activity in low Earth orbit (LEO) is moving significantly from government-led initiatives to commercial, privately-operated platforms. Japan has accumulated research and development using the microgravity environment on the ISS and its Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo,” and a new orbital base is now required to continue this work seamlessly into the post-ISS period.
To date, DigitalBlast has progressed the development of an orbital computer that forms the core technology of “Orbital Data Center Construction Technology,” a theme adopted by the JAXA Space Strategic Fund, and has also created equipment and provided platform services supporting life-science R&D in the space environment. The utilization allocation secured on Starlab will serve as a key foundation for implementing and expanding these efforts in orbit and for generating ‘value in space’ through broader utilization of the space environment.
●About DigitalBlast
DigitalBlast, Inc. is a space startup that, guided by its mission “Make Space Valuable,” undertakes technology development and research infrastructure construction to create industries that take advantage of the space environment. Building on the experience gained aboard the ISS and the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo,” the company promotes user integration for space-environment utilization and cultivates commercial demand with an eye on the post-ISS era. Through the development of a computer that serves as the core technology of “Orbital Data Center Construction Technology” (adopted by the JAXA Space Strategic Fund) and the creation of equipment and platform services that support life-science R&D in the space environment, DigitalBlast contributes to the sustained growth of space utilization and the emergence of new industries.
Website: https://digitalblast.co.jp/ | Established: December 2018 | HQ: Jimbocho Mitsui Bldg. 19F, 1-105 Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan | Business: Space development business | Affiliate: SpaceBlast, Inc.
●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.
●About the JAXA Space Strategic Fund and “Orbital Data Center Construction Technology”
The Space Strategic Fund is a program established at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to support, over the long term, the development and social implementation of space technologies by private companies and universities. “Orbital Data Center Construction Technology” is a technology-development theme adopted under this program, led by SpaceBlast, Inc. as the representative institution, with DigitalBlast responsible for business development. Reference: https://fund.jaxa.jp/
