Space startup Vast plans to follow up the tiny station with one that spins.
Long Beach-based space startup Vast Space has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch the world’s first commercial space station as soon as 2025 — and crew it almost immediately.
“It’s a super aggressive schedule,” Jed McCaleb, the founder of Vast, told Ars Technica. “But we have a clear path for how we’re going to get there.”
The customer: The International Space Station (ISS) has served as NASA’s off-world home for more than two decades, enabling groundbreaking science that has advanced our understanding of space and improved our liveson Earth.
NASA expects to deorbit the aging ISS in 2031, though, and rather than building a replacement, the agency plans to rent space on one or more space stations owned by private companies.
That plan depends on someone actually deploying a commercial space station, though — every station to reach orbit so far has been put there by a government agency.
“We see NASA as our biggest opportunity, as our largest customer.”
Jed McCaleb
What’s new? Vast has now announced its intention to be the owner/operator of the first commercial space station by launching its Haven-1 station as soon as August 2025 via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The next-soonest planned deployment of a commercial space station isn’t until late 2025, when Axiom Space is scheduled to launch the first module of its Axiom Station.
Rush job: Four companies, including Axiom, have already received funding from NASA to develop private space stations. Vast isn’t one of the four, and getting its station into orbit first could give it an advantage over NASA’s existing partners when it comes to securing contracts.
“We see NASA as our biggest opportunity, as our largest customer,” McCaleb told Space News. “We’re not going to send you renders or prototypes in a warehouse. We have flight hardware.”
Looking ahead: In addition to deploying Haven-1, SpaceX has also been contracted to send a Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying four people to dock with Vast’s space station soon after it reaches orbit.
Dragon will then remain docked for up to 30 days while the crew enjoys their time aboard the space station, which, at just 12 feet wide and 33 feet long, is extra cozy compared to the 356-foot-long ISS.
Vast plans to sell tickets aboard that first mission to space agency astronauts or private citizens interested for scientific or philanthropic reasons. It hasn’t revealed the cost of tickets, but those interested can apply via the startup’s website.
Going big: Vast’s long-term goal is to deploy a 328-foot-long commercial space station in the 2030s, giving NASA access to a space station closer in size to what it’s used to. The startup also has an ambitious plan to mimic the effects of gravity on the large station by spinning it.
The gravitational pull is expected to be only 17% as strong as Earth’s, but no one has ever produced any simulated gravity on a space station before, and if Vast’s plan works, the force might be enough to limit the many health issues caused by living in microgravity.
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As a space exploration enthusiast with a deep understanding of the aerospace industry and related technological advancements, I find the recent developments involving Vast Space and its ambitious plans for commercial space stations quite intriguing. My comprehensive knowledge in this field allows me to provide valuable insights into the concepts mentioned in the article.
Vast Space, a Long Beach-based startup, has entered into a significant contract with SpaceX to launch the world's first commercial space station, named Haven-1, as early as August 2025. This is a remarkable feat, and the founder of Vast, Jed McCaleb, acknowledges the aggressive schedule, emphasizing a clear path to achieve this milestone.
The primary customer for Vast's commercial space station is NASA, specifically in the context of the aging International Space Station (ISS), which NASA plans to deorbit in 2031. Vast aims to fill the void by providing private space stations for rent. This approach aligns with NASA's strategy to collaborate with private companies for space exploration endeavors.
Key concepts covered in the article:
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Commercial Space Station Deployment:
- Vast Space intends to launch Haven-1 via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with plans to beat competitors and deploy the station as early as August 2025.
- This represents a departure from the traditional government-led efforts, marking a shift toward the commercialization of space exploration.
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NASA Partnership and Funding:
- Vast sees NASA as a significant opportunity and potential customer. The startup's strategy involves deploying operational space stations ahead of NASA's existing partners to secure contracts.
- Notably, four companies, including Axiom Space, have already received funding from NASA to develop private space stations. Vast aims to leverage its aggressive timeline to gain a competitive advantage.
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SpaceX Involvement:
- SpaceX, a leading player in the aerospace industry, has been contracted not only to launch Haven-1 but also to send a Crew Dragon spacecraft to dock with Vast's space station.
- The Crew Dragon will remain docked for up to 30 days, allowing a crew of four people to spend time aboard the relatively compact Haven-1.
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Commercial Space Travel and Ticket Sales:
- Vast plans to sell tickets for the inaugural mission aboard Haven-1 to space agency astronauts or private citizens interested for scientific or philanthropic reasons.
- While the cost of tickets remains undisclosed, the startup has opened applications for those interested in participating in this historic journey.
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Long-Term Goals and Gravity Simulation:
- Vast's visionary long-term goal is to deploy a larger, 328-foot-long commercial space station in the 2030s, providing NASA with a facility more comparable in size to the ISS.
- An ambitious plan involves mimicking the effects of gravity on the large station by spinning it. The simulated gravity, at 17% of Earth's strength, aims to address health issues associated with prolonged exposure to microgravity.
In summary, Vast Space's endeavors reflect a pioneering approach in the commercialization of space stations, with a focus on collaboration with NASA and ambitious plans for future exploration and scientific research. The involvement of SpaceX adds further credibility to the feasibility of these plans, and Vast's emphasis on tangible flight hardware underscores its commitment to turning these visions into reality.
