Vast Announces Haven-1 Launch Via SpaceX

A leader in space habitation technologies, Vast, revealed on 10th May that they’re launching Haven-1, the first commercial space station in the world. And they’ve signed a contract with SpaceX to make it happen.

What are the plans for Haven-1?

Haven-1 will be used as a crewed independent space station first and foremost. Similar habitats will be constructed and then connected. Vast intends to launch Haven-1 to Low Earth Orbit as early as August 2025 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. In the mean time, SpaceX will help train the four crew members on how to handle the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as well as emergencies.

After Haven-1 is ready, the Vast-1 mission will then take place. The crew members will dock with Haven-1 for up to 30 days while orbiting Earth. There is also an option for an additional human spaceflight with SpaceX, which has already been secured.

A moment in history

The announcement of these two Vast missions is significant because it’s the first time that a commercial space station business has a contracted launch for both its space station and a human spaceflight mission. Moreover, it’s the first attempt by a commercial entity to build a space station with artificial gravity created by rotating the station.

Vast’s long-term goal 

The company has revealed that its long-term objective is to create a spinning, multi-module, artificial gravity space station, measuring 100 metres in length, which will be launched in sections by Space X’s Starship transportation system.   

“Vast is thrilled to embark on this journey of launching the world’s first commercial space station”

The CEO of Vast, Jed McCaleb, has spoken about the partnership with SpaceX:

“We are grateful to SpaceX for this exciting partnership that represents the first steps in Vast’s long-term vision of launching much larger, artificial gravity space stations in Earth orbit and beyond.”