In 2030, NASA will stop operating the aging International Space Station (ISS) and sink it in the ocean. The future of space exploration in low Earth orbit will rely on private companies to build new orbital stations. One such project is Haven-1 from the California-based company Vast. The launch of the first module on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for 2025.
Private space modules – new research vector
The Haven-1 project has an ambitious schedule, as its development and preparation for launch are planned to be completed in the second half of 2025. The Vast team includes experienced professionals, particularly former NASA astronaut Andrew Feistel, who provides advice on optimizing the module’s design.
“After three missions to space, we will use our experience to create a comfortable environment on the station. It is important to consider all aspects, from communications and private space to support crew work and scientific progress,” said Andrew Feistel.
Haven-1 is characterized by its minimalist design. Most of the equipment is hidden behind panels, and interior details such as fireproof elements made of maple veneer add coziness to an environment that is normally sterile.
Haven-1’s simplicity compared to the ISS
The ISS is the largest man-made object in Earth orbit with a space exceeding the size of a six-bedroom house. Unlike the ISS, which consists of multiple modules and required 42 missions for its construction, Haven-1 is a compact and relatively simple module. The station from Vast will be able to accommodate four astronauts, but in much more compact conditions, but more modern and comfortable for living and productive work.
In 2028, Vast plans to build an even larger module, and in the 2030s, it plans to build a separate artificial-gravity station that will take on crews of up to eight people. Implementation of such plans will require significant funding, most likely from national space agencies interested in conducting scientific research in orbit.
NASA’s future plans
At the same time, NASA is focusing its efforts on lunar and deep space exploration. The agency plans to establish a permanent base on the Moon to extract water from polar craters. Eventually, this could be an important step for organizing refueling stations for missions to Mars and exploration of resource asteroids.
We previously reported on how an pneumatic cannon would send cargo into space at a speed of 30M.
According to Bloomberg
