Vast Space, a California-based startup, has announced a revised launch date for its Haven-1 space station, now targeting May 2026. The company recently completed a major testing milestone for the qualification vessel, which involved pressurizing the module with dry nitrogen to test its structural integrity. The results exceeded the vessel's requirements and met NASA's crew-rated spacecraft qualifications.
Haven-1 is set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and will be the first commercial space station in orbit. Vast is aiming to win the bid for NASA's Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) contract in 2026, positioning itself ahead of other contenders like Northrop Grumman, Axiom Space, Nanoracks, and Sierra Space.
The company is actively seeking customers and scientists for research opportunities on Haven-1. The station will initially be capable of housing a four-person crew for two-week missions. Vast also plans to launch a second module, Haven-2, in 2028, expanding the station's capacity and capabilities.
The Haven-1 qualification article is currently undergoing further testing, including simulated launch pressures and structural load tests. Meanwhile, Vast is already manufacturing the flight vehicle, aiming to complete the primary structure by July 2025. The company's full timeline, from now through the first crewed mission to Haven-1, is as follows:
July 2025: Completion of the primary structure for the Haven-1 flight module.
May 2026: Launch of Haven-1.
2026: First crewed mission to Haven-1.
2028: Launch of Haven-2.
The development of Haven-1 underscores the growing commercialization of space exploration. As the International Space Station approaches retirement in 2030, companies like Vast Space are stepping up to fill the void and provide new platforms for research, innovation, and space tourism.