The race to replace the International Space Station (ISS) is intensifying as it nears retirement. In just seven years, NASA aims to have a fully functional replacement for the space laboratory that has been in service since 1998.
One of the contenders for this replacement is California-based company Vast, which recently presented its ISS successor proposal, Haven-2, at the International Astronautical Congress.
The company claims the initial version of its space station could be operational in orbit by 2028, provided NASA selects its proposal in 2026 as part of the Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) program’s phase 2 selection.
Vast’s design for Haven-2 features an X-shaped orbital habitat with a robotic arm for cargo deliveries, docking capabilities for visiting vehicles, and large 1.1-meter dome windows offering expansive views. The station is composed of modular units, allowing for customization.
Max Haot, CEO of Vast, expressed confidence in the company’s proposal, stating, “Our focus this decade is to win the NASA Commercial LEO Destination contract and build the successor to the International Space Station.”
He added that Vast would first demonstrate its capabilities with the launch of Haven-1, the world’s first commercial space station, in 2025.
Looking ahead, Vast plans to expand its space station between 2030 and 2032 by adding a larger 7-meter diameter core module and four additional Haven-2 modules.
This would create a massive space hub that could serve as a central hub for space exploration and research. Once completed, astronauts aboard Haven-2 will have access to 16 windows, more than double the number found on the ISS.
Vast intends to fund the development of Haven-2 through private investment and is building on the success of its Haven-1 design.
Haven-1, revealed last week, boasts a luxurious, Japandi-inspired interior, communication technology for calling Earth, and enhanced sleeping arrangements for astronauts or space tourists.
Haven-2, however, will be 5 meters longer than its predecessor, offering more living space, additional laboratory equipment, and in-space manufacturing facilities to meet NASA’s needs.
Andrew Feustel, a NASA astronaut with over 23 years of experience, is advising Vast on the requirements for the next generation of astronauts, ensuring they are comfortable during extended stays in space.
Feustel emphasized the importance of international collaboration in the design of Haven-2, noting, “Haven-2 is being designed with compatibility in mind, ensuring that international partners can integrate seamlessly into this next-generation platform.”
The station is being developed to accommodate the increasing number of countries involved in space exploration, whether through astronauts or spacecraft.
According to Feustel, “This vision of global cooperation in space will create opportunities for scientific and technological advancements, benefiting new and current sovereign partners as well as industries around the world.”
Vast also plans to offer international partners the option to lease entire modules or specific lab facilities within Haven-2, further promoting global cooperation in space research and exploration.
