Vast is joining forces with SpaceX to potentially launch the first commercial space station, Haven-1, as early as August 2025. A Falcon 9 rocket will transport the platform to low Earth orbit, followed by the Vast-1 mission, which will utilize Crew Dragon to bring four people to Haven-1 for up to 30 days. Vast is currently accepting bookings for crew members interested in participating in scientific or philanthropic work. The company also has the option for a second crewed SpaceX mission.
Haven-1 is a relatively small space station, not much larger than SpaceX’s capsule. It is primarily designed for science and small-scale orbital manufacturing for the four crew members who dock. Vast plans to make Haven-1 just one module in a larger station, with the capability to simulate the Moon’s gravity by spinning.
The ambitious 2025 target could potentially see Vast outpace well-known competitors in deploying a private space station. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin is not expected to launch its Orbital Reef until the latter half of the decade. Voyager, Lockheed Martin, and Nanoracks do not anticipate operating their Starlab facility before 2027. Axiom has the best chance of upstaging Vast with a planned late 2025 liftoff.
These timelines are not guaranteed, given the challenges and costs associated with building an orbital habitat. The goal is to create a safe vehicle that can comfortably support humans for extended periods, not just during a rocket launch. However, this development suggests that space stations represent the next major phase of private spaceflight, following tourism and lunar missions.
In a separate incident, SpaceX’s Starship launch caused a fire in a Texas state park. Federal agencies report that debris from the blown-up spacecraft spread across hundreds of acres. The Texas arm of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a site assessment and post-launch recommendations, ensuring compliance with the Endangered Species Act.
Starship’s return to flight depends on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. SpaceX is required to remove debris from sensitive habitats, carry out a survey of wildlife and vegetation, and submit reports to several federal agencies.