[1] If development continues beyond the initially-funded phase in 2021–24, then Starlab would be launched before the decommissioning of the ISS, no earlier than 2028.

In March 2021, NASA presented the Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) program which aims to support the creation of private Earth-orbiting space stations in which the agency would only be one of the customers (tenant or other form of contract), with companies retaining ownership of their stations.

[3] The team of companies developing Starlab was one of three teams selected in December 2021 to continue their work with grants from NASA, i.e. $160 million, the two other competing teams, Blue Origin (associated with Sierra Space (carve-out from Sierra Nevada Corporation), Boeing and Redwire) and Northrop Grumman (associated with Dynetics) were granted $130 million and $125.6 million, respectively, subject to the approval by the United States Congress.

[14][17] The interior design of the station, in particular the astronauts' living spaces, was assigned to the hospitality company Hilton Worldwide in September 2022.

The company plans in particular to develop an autonomous docking system for its Cygnus spacecraft, which will resupply the station.

[1] In April 2024 it was reported the design stage of the project was proceeding on track with launch still estimated in 2028.