Starlab Space, an ambitious joint venture planning to put a commercial space station into orbit by 2028, has named its leadership team, including an experienced aerospace attorney to run its legal department.

Thomas Ayres most recently was chief legal officer of the Denver-based space-exploration company Voyager Space. In January, Voyager partnered with the European aerospace giant Airbus to form Houston-based Starlab Space, which plans to develop the space station and pitch its use to business and government customers for research applications.