NEW YORK (January 21, 2026) – Holland & Knight represented Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, on an additional investment in Starlab Space LLC, a global joint venture and leading candidate for participation in NASA's Commercial Space Station Program. As part of this investment, Mitsubishi has also acquired the usage rights to the experimental module associated with Starlab's commercial space station. The transaction was announced on January 12.
The Commercial Space Station Program is being developed by U.S. private companies, under NASA's leadership, as the successor to the International Space Station, which is expected to be retired in the 2030s. Starlab is one of three companies selected from a pool of 11 applicants in a competitive bid conducted in 2021 under this program. As of February 2025, it had successfully completed all reviews for the four major development milestones set by NASA.
With this additional investment, Mitsubishi has joined Starlab's board of directors, and by acquiring usage rights for the space station's experimental module from Starlab, Mitsubishi will continue to advance the development and expansion of space station research across various applications, such as semiconductors and life sciences.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Mitsubishi Corporation is a global integrated trading and investment company that develops and operates a wide range of businesses across multiple industries.
Holland & Knight Partners Richard Smith and Brent Singley (M&A) led the Firm's representation of Mitsubishi. They were assisted by Partner Robert Friedman and Associate Caroline Howard (International Trade/CFIUS) who led international trade and national security matters; Partner Tim Kobes (Government Contracts); and Associate Ben Gillman (M&A).
More information on the transaction can be found here.
Holland & Knight previously advised Mitsubishi Corporation on its initial investment in Starlab Space in 2024.
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