Vast Successfully Tests Haven-1 Structure; On Track for 2026 Launch

Vast has successfully completed the primary structure qualification proof test for its Haven-1 space station.

This milestone positions Vast to lead the race in becoming the world’s first operational commercial space station company, surpassing other industry efforts. The successful test highlights Vast’s rapid progress in engineering, manufacturing, and testing space station systems at unprecedented speed.

Launched in 2021, Vast is pursuing an ambitious goal of developing Haven-1 as the first fully crewed, operational commercial space station in low Earth orbit (LEO). The company aims to establish itself as a key player in NASA’s post-International Space Station (ISS) ecosystem, ensuring continuous human presence in LEO and advancing scientific research in microgravity.

Successful Qualification Testing of Haven-1’s Primary Structure

The key achievement came on January 31, when Vast completed the primary structure qualification proof test for Haven-1. This marks a significant step in validating the structural integrity and readiness of the first commercial space station’s hull.

The qualification test was conducted under NASA Standard 5001 guidelines and included:

• Decay Leak Check: The test began with a decay leak check at 0.2 barD, which passed successfully.

• Proof Test: The pressure vessel was pressurized to 1.8 barD (26 psig), with no leaks or visual changes observed. The pressure held steady for five hours, and all measurements were within specification.

• Extended Leak Test: The structure was maintained at 3 psi (0.2 bar) for 48 hours without additional nitrogen, surpassing NASA’s leak rate requirements.

Vast’s Mojave facility played a critical role in this campaign, utilizing a dedicated test stand simulating launch and on-orbit conditions through hydraulic actuators, pressurization systems, and strain gauge measurements.

The success of this test underscores the company’s ability to meet stringent safety standards for human-rated spaceflight.

The Haven-1 Program: A Strategy for Rapid Innovation

Vast’s strategic approach centers on rapidly iterating space station designs while applying lessons learned to future systems. The company has framed Haven-1 as a foundational project for future development, including their proposal for NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination (CLD) Phase II contract.

The three key pillars driving Haven-1’s development include:

1. Winning NASA’s CLD Phase II Contract: By designing, building, and testing the Haven-1 space station in-house, Vast seeks to gain operational experience unmatched by other competitors. Crewed missions, R&D partnerships, and proven capabilities will provide Vast with critical experience as they submit their CLD Phase II proposal for the development of Haven-2.

2. Building World-Class Capabilities: Vast emphasizes the importance of real-world development challenges. Rather than focusing solely on design milestones, the company has encountered and solved manufacturing and supply chain challenges firsthand. Their pivot from stainless steel to aluminum as the primary structural material highlights their adaptability. By March 2024, Vast had successfully completed trade studies, solidifying aluminum as their structural choice for Haven-1.

3. Ensuring Continuous U.S. and International Presence in LEO: With the ISS scheduled for retirement by 2030, Vast aims to bridge the gap and ensure continuity for scientific research and crewed missions. Haven-2 is expected to be ready for crew as early as 2028 if Vast secures NASA’s contract.

Manufacturing Efficiency: Setting a New Standard

One of Vast’s standout achievements is its ability to manufacture Haven-1’s primary structure within six months—an unprecedented pace in the industry.

The qualification article was completed just 15 months after the company began working with aluminum. Vast’s vertically integrated production approach, with all major structural components built in-house in the U.S., not only ensures quality control but also reinforces U.S. leadership in human spaceflight.

The flight-ready primary structure, currently under production, is on track for completion by July 2025, after which it will undergo integration and testing.

Updated Haven-1 Timeline

Vast recently revised its timeline to reflect its progress and greater clarity on upcoming milestones.

July 2025 -- Flight Primary Structure : Complete manufacturing and testing of the flight primary structure

July 2025 -- December 2025 - Integration : Vehicle integration and checkout, including subsystem manufacturing and testing

Jan - March 2026 -- Integrated Vehicle Testing : Environmental test campaign (acoustics, vibration, EMI, TVAC)

April - May 2026 -- Launch Campaign Start : Pre-launch operations at the launch site

NET May 2026 -- LAUNCH!

May - June 2026 -- Uncrewed on Orbit Commisioning : System commissioning in orbit

NET End of June 2026 -- FIRST CREW MISSION!

Building a Team and Infrastructure for the Future

Since announcing the Haven-1 program in May 2023, Vast has scaled rapidly.

The company has grown from a team of fewer than 140 to over 700 employees, with nearly 200,000 square feet of operational space and facilities dedicated to manufacturing, integration, testing, and crew training.

Vast’s modular space station approach, starting with Haven-1, allows for rapid iteration and cost-effective scaling. Lessons from Haven-1 will directly feed into Haven-2 and future projects, ensuring a sustainable and scalable commercial presence in LEO.

What's Next?

Following the successful qualification test, Vast will proceed with further structural load tests, simulated launch forces, and environmental testing to replicate real flight conditions. Each step will be meticulously monitored to ensure Haven-1’s readiness for human-rated spaceflight.

A New Era of Commercial Space Stations

If successful, Vast’s Haven-1 program will establish a new era of commercial space stations, offering opportunities for scientific research, industrial manufacturing in microgravity, and international partnerships.

With NASA aiming to retire the ISS in 2030, Vast’s progress ensures that humanity’s continuous presence in LEO remains uninterrupted.