posted 05-10-2023 01:00 PM               

VAST Announces the Haven-1 and VAST-1 Missions

Scheduled to be the world's first commercial space station, Haven-1 and subsequent human spaceflight missions will accelerate access to space exploration.

Vast, a pioneer in space habitation technologies, announced today (May 10) their plans to launch the world's first commercial space station, called Haven-1. Scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to low-Earth orbit no earlier than August 2025, Haven-1 will initially act as an independent crewed space station prior to being connected as a module to a larger Vast space station currently in development. The mission will be quickly followed by Vast-1, the first human spaceflight mission to Haven-1 on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The vehicle and its four-person crew will dock with Haven-1 for up to 30 days while orbiting Earth. Vast also secured an option with SpaceX for an additional human spaceflight mission to Haven-1.

Above: Illustration - Haven-1 with SpaceX Dragon docked and a visiting crew of four.

This represents the first time in history that a commercial space station company has both a contracted launch for its space station and a visiting human spaceflight mission.

"Vast is thrilled to embark on this journey of launching the world's first commercial space station, Haven-1, and its first crew, Vast-1," said Jed McCaleb, CEO of Vast. "We are grateful to SpaceX for this exciting partnership that represents the first steps in Vast's long-term vision of launching much larger, artificial gravity space stations in Earth orbit and beyond."

"A commercial rocket launching a commercial spacecraft with commercial astronauts to a commercial space station is the future of low-Earth orbit, and with Vast we're taking another step toward making that future a reality," said Tom Ochinero, Senior Vice President of Commercial Business at SpaceX. "The SpaceX team couldn't be more excited to launch Vast's Haven-1 and support their follow-on human spaceflight missions to the orbiting commercial space station."

Above: Illustration - Haven-1 inside the Falcon 9 fairing before launch.

Vast's long-term goal is to develop a 100-meter-long multi-module spinning artificial gravity space station launched by SpaceX's Starship transportation system. In support of this, Vast will explore conducting the world's first spinning artificial gravity experiment on a commercial space station with Haven-1.

Vast is selling up to four crewed seats on the inaugural mission to Haven-1. Expected customers include domestic and international space agencies and private individuals involved in science and philanthropic projects. Visit vastspace.com/reserve for more details.

SpaceX will also provide crew training on Falcon 9 and the Dragon spacecraft, emergency preparedness, spacesuit and spacecraft ingress and egress exercises, as well as partial and full mission simulations including docking and undocking with Haven-1 for return to Earth.

Above: Illustration: Haven-1 Space Station Overview.

HAVEN-1 features:

• Compatible docking with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft
  
• Extend the on-orbit duration of commercial Dragon spacecraft human spaceflight missions for up to 30 days for four astronauts
  
• Science, research, and in-space manufacturing opportunities - 1000 W of power, 24/7 communications, and up to 150 kg of pre-loaded cargo mass in Haven-1. Opportunities for lunar artificial gravity by spinning.
  
• Fully independent space station providing life support functions and consumables for the full mission's duration.
  
• Privacy and control of your crew schedule
  
• Large window dome for viewing and photography
  
• Always-on internet via onboard Wi-Fi
  
• Room to stretch and rest

VAST-1 - Our First Expedition to Haven-1

• Fly to Haven-1 in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched by the Falcon 9 rocket
  
• For space agencies and private individuals
  
• Fly four crew members to Haven-1 for up to 30 days
  
• Be the first crew to visit the world's first commercial space station
  
• Available per seat or as a full, four-person crew mission
  
• Advanced science, research, and in-space manufacturing opportunities

posted 06-15-2023 01:35 PM               

VAST Selects Impulse Space for Haven-1 Space Station Propulsion

Vast, a pioneer in space habitation technologies, announced today (June 15) that it selected Impulse Space, a leader in the development of in-space logistics services, to provide its Haven-1 Space Station propulsion system. Impulse Space and Vast will work closely to integrate the propulsion system as a key subsystem of Haven-1, scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to low-Earth orbit in August 2025 and is expected to be the world's first commercial space station.

"Impulse Space is excited to work with Vast on a project that will accelerate commercial activity in space," said Tom Mueller, Founder and CEO of Impulse Space. "Our qualified Saiph thruster is a perfect fit for Haven-1's propulsion requirements. We look forward to collaborating with such a dedicated and like-minded team."

The Haven-1 propulsion system, designed and delivered by Impulse Space, will include Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters to augment resident control moment gyros and deorbit thrusters for end-of-life operations. The Saiph thruster is already qualified and will, by the time Haven-1 launches, have significant flight heritage from multiple LEO missions starting in October 2023.

Additionally, the Haven-1 propulsion system will use a storable non-toxic propellant combination, nitrous oxide and ethane, similar to other space vehicles developed by Impulse and Vast. The propulsion system will also consist of propellant tanks, Saiph thrusters, fluid lines, valves, sensors, control electronics and control software.

"To support our goal to launch Haven-1 in just over two years and become the world's first commercial space station, we decided to partner on multiple subsystems to increase the likelihood of meeting our timeline with full mission success," said Jed McCaleb, founder and CEO of Vast. "We are thrilled that Tom and his team at Impulse Space agreed to provide their Saiph-based propulsion system for Haven-1."

After launch, Haven-1 will serve as an independent crewed space station with four crewed missions planned before connecting as a module to a larger Vast space station currently in development. Following the launch of Haven-1, Vast-1, the first crewed mission to Haven-1 via a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, will dock with Haven-1 for 30 days while orbiting the Earth.

posted 10-11-2024 10:27 AM               

Vast Unveils Its Final Haven-1 Space Station Design

Haven-1 Represents a New Standard that Merges Human-Centric Design with Function, Introducing Features for Unparalleled Comfort, Productivity, and Microgravity Lab Advancements

Vast, the US-based space habitation technology company pioneering the path to long-term living and thriving in space, today unveiled its interior design features aboard Haven-1, the world's first commercial space station. Vast's inaugural station combines the functionality of its state-of-the-art facilities for scientific research, technological advancement, and global collaboration in low-Earth orbit (LEO) with its remarkable dedication to sophisticated and human-centric design.


Above: Illustration of Haven-1 (Vast)

Reflecting Vast's commitment to prioritizing the well-being and experience of its astronauts and its vision for making space accessible to all, Haven-1 will launch in 2025 with a specific focus on ensuring form and function merge to provide greater comfort and quality of life for long-term missions. The interior design is warm and welcoming, while the exterior extends this design element by introducing a key new exterior element: a centralized window, allowing astronauts to experience a full view of Earth.


Above: Haven-1 Common Area, featuring Haven-1 Lab (Vast)

Guided by the expertise of Peter Russell-Clarke, a world-renowned designer who has shaped some of Apple's most iconic products, Haven-1's human-centric industrial design introduces new dimensions of bold creativity and efficiency, creating a new standard for interior design in space.


Above: Haven-1 1.1 meter domed observation window (Vast)

"Astronauts living in zero gravity pose unique design challenges. Creating an environment that is both highly efficient and naturally comforting leads to totally new results. Haven-1 interiors are unprecedented, precisely engineered and sensitively designed to ensure its occupants thrive in space," said Russell-Clarke.


Above: Haven-1 interior layout (Vast)

Andrew Feustel, a veteran NASA astronaut with over 23 years of experience who has logged over 225 days in space on the ISS, played a critical role in advising the team as they developed the interior. "I've flown three missions to space, and we are learning from those experiences and innovating to improve the way we can live and work on a space station. From communication and connectivity, to private space and interacting with others aboard, to advancing human progress on Earth and beyond, every detail has been designed with the astronaut experience at the core of our work," added Feustel.


Above: Haven-1 storage corridor (Vast)

Every detail of the Haven-1 interior has been implemented with an eye for detail, creating a visual hierarchy that allows the astronauts to focus on the task at hand, monitor the station's systems, and enjoy their experience onboard. After docking with a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Haven-1 crew members open the Haven-1 exterior hatch and are greeted by a sleek, functional layout upon entry. A real-time display shows the station status with temperature and lighting controls, and optimized cargo compartments ensure essential supplies are stored efficiently. Notably, Haven-1's interior surfaces are soft and padded to provide an added safety component for crew and visitors as they float throughout.


Above: Haven-1 private sleeping quarters (Vast)

Above and below the corridor, the station's four private crew quarters offer astronauts a space to rest and recharge. Slightly larger than the crew quarters aboard the ISS, these expanded personal rooms are uniquely designed to allow for changing, entertainment, online communication with loved ones back on Earth (enabled by SpaceX Starlink connectivity), and, most importantly, a good night's rest. Experience has shown that sleeping in space can be a restless endeavor. Maximizing sleep efficiency and comfort remains critical to the overall experience aboard the Vast station. Historically, zero gravity sleep has been uncomfortable for astronauts due to a lack of standardized and consistent restraint systems during weightless sleep and a deficit in the distributed gravity forces humans are accustomed to on Earth. Vast's patent-pending signature sleep system is roughly the size of a queen bed, provides a customized amount of equal pressure throughout the night, and accommodates side and back sleepers alike.

Additionally, each room features a built-in storage compartment, vanity, and a custom amenities kit


Above: Haven-1 deployable communal table (Vast)

The Common Area is at the station's core, a multifunctional hub where the crew can collaborate on the latest science and innovations, gather for communal meals, exercise, and relax. With a focus on modularity, this gathering area is unprecedented in volume at 24m³ and includes a 1.1m domed window. A deployable multi-use table spans 0.9m2 for communal eating or drafting and can fold back into the floor when not in use. The expansive observation window delivers a vantage point with a singular, breathtaking view of Earth.


Above: Haven-1 multi-use common area (Vast)

Exercise in space is a foundational routine for staying healthy on Earth. When humans are in space, their bodies respond and adapt to the new environment in many ways. However, performing impact-based exercise aboard the station can help mitigate these changes and improve cardiovascular and bone health. Vast's team of engineers created a comprehensive system to address these challenges and keep the body strong. The resistance band system in the Common Area has body and station anchors for customized exercise routines targeting bone, muscular, and cardiovascular fitness. The system is capable of both linear and rotational resistance exercises, focusing on both upper and lower-body musculoskeletal health.


Above: Haven-1 integrated on-station fitness (Vast)

Another first-of-its-kind interior feature is the use of genuine safety-tested, fire-resistant maple wood veneer slats, bringing natural warmth into what has traditionally been a sterile, necessity-driven interior design for common gathering spaces aboard stations. This modern take on modular living and working on stations provides a calm and grounding framework, increasing functionality while improving daily well-being.


Above: Haven-1 Lab (Vast)

Directly connected to the Common Area is the Haven-1 Lab, the world's first microgravity research, development, and manufacturing platform on a commercial space station. Behind the forward wall, 10 Middeck Locker Equivalent (MLE) payload slots are available for innovations that support the progress of life on Earth and advance the future of human spaceflight. Operated by Haven-1 astronauts, the lab can also be remotely commanded and monitored via SpaceX Starlink gigabit-speed Internet. This contemporary evolution of an on-station laboratory furthers the opportunities available for private astronauts working toward scientific discoveries, and governments and industries endeavoring to innovate across sectors.


Above: Haven-1 microgravity research and exploration (Vast)

Feustel, well acquainted with the specific needs of astronauts working in microgravity, also provided valuable information for the development of the Haven-1 Lab: "So much of our learning on ISS explores how living in microgravity affects the human body, both physically and psychologically — and one takeaway I've had is that intuitive design isn't a luxury in that regard: it's key to ensuring astronauts can work and live in space seamlessly. To see Haven-1's design solve many of the challenges we faced aboard the ISS, and to use the progress we made there to ensure we can do this long-term while caring for ourselves is just extraordinary."

Hillary Coe, Vast's Chief Design and Marketing Officer and design veteran of SpaceX, Starlink, Google, and Apple, highlighted that designing for spaceflight must be rooted in a better understanding of the human condition: "We have big ambitions to create a future where everyone is living and thriving on Earth and in space — and this, of course, requires a shift in how we approach design for all backgrounds and comfort levels. From Molly McCormick (previously SpaceX), who leads Human Systems Design, to Dali Yu (previously IDEO), who leads Industrial Design, we are bridging the gap to solve for a truly human-first experience down to the material level. Together, we are moving beyond necessity to innovation, balancing comfort with functionality and committing to a future where we can all truly thrive at home aboard a commercial space station."

With the launch of Haven-1, Vast is setting a new standard — delivering a blend of form and functionality never before seen on commercial space stations and pushing the boundaries of what's possible for shaping the future of life in space.