NASA specialists conducted tests on the air filters of the private orbital station Haven-1. Tests have confirmed that they are capable of providing a safe environment for its future inhabitants.
The Haven-1 station is being developed by Vast. Its main difference from similar projects is its relative simplicity. While other companies design complex multi-module orbital stations, Haven-1 will consist of just one 14-ton compartment with an internal volume of 80 m³, not designed for permanent human habitation. The station will rely on the Crew Dragon spacecraft’s life support system and will be able to accommodate four astronauts for 30 days.
NASA provides technical support for the project. The aerospace administration recently announced the successful completion of an inspection of the station’s environmental control and life support system. It consists of various filters designed to remove hazardous chemicals produced by both humans and materials from the air.
The Haven-1 air purification system was tested in the climate chamber at the Marshall Space Flight Center. In the past, it was used to test the ISS’s environmental control and life support system. During the test, a typical chemical environment was created in the chamber, after which the filtration system was turned on. According to NASA, it successfully completed the task and confirmed that it can provide a safe atmosphere for the Haven-1 crew.
NASA’s support is not limited to checking the station’s life support system. In April, Vast reached an agreement to conduct Haven-1 tests at the Neil Armstrong Test Center. It has equipment for conducting thermal vacuum, acoustic, vibration, and other tests. Testing of Haven-1 is scheduled to begin in early 2026 to ensure that the station can withstand the conditions of launch and space travel. The successful completion of the trial campaign will pave the way for the launch of the station. Vast plans to launch it into orbit in the second half of next year.
Vast plans to launch it into orbit in the second half of next year. Once Haven-1 is in space, Vast will send up to four short-term manned missions to it. The experience gained during the construction and operation of the station will be used in the design of the much larger multi-module Haven-2 station. Vast intends to submit its project to NASA for the CLD (Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations) program. Its goal is to promote the development of private stations that will replace the ISS.
According to NASA
