The delegation included Richard Aked, Managing Director of Space Applications Services, Matt Souris, President of Aerospace Applications North America, and Robert Taub, Chairman and majority shareholder of Space Applications Services. Aerospace Applications North America is Space Applications’ U.S. subsidiary, providing mission operations and integration services for NASA and commercial partners.
Richard Aked stated:
“Space Applications today provides and operates life science research capabilities on the ISS and is launching additional new pharmaceutical R&D platforms to space in the course of 2026. Building on this, we will provide the European gateway for life science research and pharmaceutical manufacturing on Starlab.”
Robert Taub, serial entrepreneur with decades of leadership in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sectors, added:
“Microgravity offers a unique environment where biological and chemical processes behave differently than on Earth. This means we can accelerate drug discovery, improve protein crystallisation, and develop advanced biomaterials without the limitations of gravity. For life sciences, this is not just incremental progress, it is a paradigm shift that will unlock therapies and technologies we could not achieve on Earth. That is why we are committed to Starlab: launching to space to bring these new opportunities to humanity.”
Robert’s career includes senior roles at Baxter, Revlon Health Care Group, and Monsanto, as well as founding and scaling companies such as Omrix Biopharmaceuticals (acquired by Johnson & Johnson), Octapharma, Nyxoah, and FemPulse. His decision to invest in aerospace reflects a vision to connect life sciences and space-based research, creating new opportunities for pharmaceutical and cosmetic innovation.
The visit to JSC provided Space Applications leadership with a detailed view of Starlab’s design and capabilities, reinforcing its role in enabling global access to microgravity research and manufacturing.
