Vast Space.Photo: thealphacentauri.
Vast Space, an aerospace startup founded by former crypto mogul Jed McCaleb, has announced plans to build a new space station to succeed the International Space Station (ISS). This ambitious project joins other market players, such as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, who are seeking to commercialise Earth orbit. This was reported by Bloomberg.
Haven-2 concept
The planned station, called Haven-2, will function as a specialised laboratory in low Earth orbit, where researchers will be able to conduct experiments in microgravity. Haven-2 is also designed to receive astronauts from NASA’s international partners.
The design of the station includes four cylindrical modules that can be connected to each other to create a single space platform. Max Haot, CEO of Vast, expressed confidence that the first module will be ready for launch in 2028, which means it will be in space before the ISS is decommissioned in 2031. “We chose this ambitious schedule and strategy to gain a competitive advantage,” Haot said.
Competition in the private space station market
While NASA plans to end ISS operations, the space agency is actively encouraging private companies to develop new space stations to support research programmes. Potential competitors such as Axiom Space Inc., Blue Origin, and Starlab Space have already signed agreements with NASA to develop commercial space facilities worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Vast is also hoping to carve out a niche in this contract battle, as NASA will select finalists for contracts to replace the space station in 2026. According to Haot, this could lead to $2 billion in funding for the two winners.
Haven-1 and Haven-2 launch plans
Haven-2 is based on the concept of the Haven-1 space station, which the company announced in 2023. Vast has a contract with SpaceX to launch Haven-1 next year using a Falcon 9 rocket. After that, the company plans to send a crew to Haven-1 on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
After the launch of the initial Haven-2 module in 2028, Vast plans to send three more modules in 2029 and 2030, as well as a much larger central module in 2030 that will serve as the main hub for all four modules. The Haven-2 modules will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, while the main hub is planned to be launched on the upcoming SpaceX Starship rocket.
Funding and future plans
Although Haot did not give an exact cost for the Haven-2 project, he noted that the company expects to invest $1 billion by the time the first crews launch on Haven-1. Vast also plans to organise a fundraising round between the end of 2024 and the end of 2025 for the Haven-2 project, relying on both external investors and its own main financier, McCaleb.
The Vast Space project promises to be an important milestone in the development of private space stations, marking the transition to a new era of space exploration. With its ambitious schedule and robust design, the company is poised to become a leader in this competitive industry, ready for a new phase of space expansion.
