Work has begun on the commercial space station “Haven 1”, which is being developed by the American company Vast. The project moves forward as the International Space Station approaches the second half of its operational life and private companies take on a larger role in low Earth orbit. Vast said Haven 1 will be operated as a standalone manned station and is intended to serve as a precursor to a larger multi-module platform known as Haven 2. The company describes the program as a hardware-focused effort to build and test flight systems early to reduce risk. Launch is currently targeted for the first quarter of 2027 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Vast’s Haven 1 integration enters first stage of assembly

The first stage of integration focuses on installing the pressurized fluid system. These include thermal control lines, life support tubes, propulsion system piping, and associated tanks and trays. Engineers will perform pressure and leak tests before proceeding.Later stages will add avionics, guidance and navigation systems, and air regeneration hardware. Final work will complete the interior of the crew, the exterior shielding against micrometeorites and orbital debris, the heat sink, and the solar array. Once assembled, the station will undergo further environmental testing. NASANeil Armstrong Test Facility in 2026.

Haven 1 is designed as a commercial successor to International. space station

vast position heaven 1 This is as an early step toward Haven 2, a larger station intended to support a continued human presence in low Earth orbit. The company is proposing this future complex as a successor to the International Space Station.Haven 1 itself is planned as a platform for microgravity research, manufacturing, and government use. Vast said it aims to expand access to orbit at a lower cost while keeping human safety as its top priority.

Vast uses vertically integrated manufacturing to reduce costs

The company says its development model relies on building, testing and refining hardware in shorter cycles. Vasto says this approach has reduced manufacturing costs for primary structures by a factor of 10 compared to traditional station programs.CEO Max Haot said the goal is to create a sustainable presence in orbit after the International Space Station retires. He described Haven 1 as a flyable piece of hardware rather than a concept on paper. As consolidation continues, the schedule has been moved to early 2027. As each step progresses, more data is entered and the picture becomes a little clearer.