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Holland & Knight is a global law firm with nearly 2,000 lawyers in offices throughout the world. Our attorneys provide representation in litigation, business, real estate, healthcare and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location.
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
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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.
Holland & Knight’s Satellite and Space Technology Team provides a
full suite of legal, regulatory and legislative services to
entrepreneurs, startup companies and global industry players.
Members of the multidisciplinary team are strategically located in
Washington, D.C., the Florida Space Coast, Colorado, Texas,
California and other key markets in the U.S. and around the globe.
The Firm provides seamless service to help its clients develop and
deploy new innovations and projects within the global satellite
communications and space technology field.
Recently recognized as the Private Equity Law Firm of the Year by the
Global M&A Network, Holland & Knight regularly ranks among
the leading M&A and private equity law firms in reputable,
benchmarking league tables published by Bloomberg,
LSEG, Mergermarket, PitchBook and
The Deal. Through the HK Deal Flow℠ program, Holland &
Knight facilitates deal leads for clients and prospective clients
by matching acquisition or capital raising opportunities with
buyers and investors.