You Might Be Able to Invest in the Starlab Space Station -- but Should You?
2026-10-24 12:08
•Rich Smith •The Motley Fool
•• •••• Axe Cap view
Space Stations and South African Investors: Buyer Beware
Private space ventures like Starlab sound alluring, but public alternatives offer clearer value today.
The hype around Starlab’s private space station is understandable, especially for those chasing the next frontier. But paying around $90,000 for a unit that won’t generate revenue until 2029 is a leap of faith few should take. If you want exposure to this futuristic play, public stocks like Voyager Technologies (VOYG) offer a clearer path. Voyager already produces nearly $174 million revenue, with ambitious growth to $1.9 billion by 2029 and profit within reach. For South African investors, the better move is to stay liquid and consider the rand’s trajectory against the dollar (USD/ZAR). A weakening rand could hurt returns on illiquid foreign investments like Starlab units, while Voyager’s public shares traded in dollars offer flexibility to react as the story unfolds. Of course, Voyager’s projections might falter or competition could intensify, so patience and a clear exit plan are essential. this is just our opinion and not financial advice
Avoid private Starlab units while waiting for clearer revenue signals. Buy Voyager Technologies (VOYG) shares cautiously, balancing exposure with rand hedging using USD/ZAR options.
- VOYG
- USD/ZAR
- Delayed revenue generation beyond 2029
- Rand depreciation increasing foreign investment volatility
6/10
Starlab, a private space station joint venture led by Voyager Technologies, is raising $300 million in Series A funding with preferred units valued at ~$90,000 each. However, the station won't generate revenue until 2029 at earliest, and lacks transparency as a private investment. The article suggests investing in publicly traded Voyager stock instead, which has revenue and projected profitability by 2029, potentially offering better value at current valuations.
Our take is based on reporting first published by The Motley Fool.