Vast has begun testing a model of the first-ever commercial orbital station, Haven-1. It was also announced that its launch was postponed to 2026.
First private orbital station
Vast is a new player in the aerospace market: it was founded in 2021. But despite its “youth,” the company is determined to do what no one else has ever managed before and launch the first ever private orbital station. It’s called Haven-1.
The Haven-1 will be 10.1 meters long, weigh 14 tons and have a sealed internal volume of 80 m3. Its concept is a visited orbital station, not designed for permanent human habitation. Haven-1 will rely on the Crew Dragon spacecraft’s life support system and will be able to sustain four astronauts for 30 days.
One of the main reasons Vast decided to develop Haven-1 is to gain experience to build the larger Haven-2 station. The company intends to offer it in the second phase of the NASA-funded CLD program. Its purpose is to support commercial orbital station projects to replace the ISS.
Successful tests and launch postponement
On January 31, Vast experts began testing the qualification model of the Haven-1 design. In one of the tests, the module was pressurized to 1.8 times the normal pressure. The purpose of the other test was to check the tightness of the structure.
According to Vast’s statement, the station model has successfully passed the tests. In the coming weeks, engineers plan to conduct several more tests to verify the reliability of the design.
In parallel with the announcement of successful tests, Vast also announced a change in the launch date of Haven-1. Last year, it was reported that it would be launched into space as early as the summer of 2025. But according to the revised schedule, manufacturing of the station’s hull will be completed only in July 2025. This will be followed by its equipment and numerous tests. Based on all this, Vast expects that the launch of Haven-1 will take place no earlier than May 2026. In this case, the station will welcome its first crew in June-July 2026.
