Vast, a commercial space station company, has announced plans to build a private microgravity research lab as part of its Haven-1 station project. The lab is expected to be launched in the second half of 2025 and will feature 10 payload slots that can hold payloads weighing up to 30 kg each. These payloads will be operated by the crew onboard Haven-1, similar to the operations on the International Space Station (ISS).
Researchers will have the ability to return samples or products from the lab using capsules like SpaceX’s Dragon, with assistance from ground operators through Starlink laser links. Vast CEO Max Haot emphasized the importance of creating a new platform for future microgravity research and manufacturing innovation, especially with the eventual retirement of the ISS in 2030.
Vast has partnered with Redwire Space and European space biotech company, Yuri, for the lab. This move signifies Vast’s commitment to collaborating with European-based companies, as seen in their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Space Station. Haven-1 aims to replace the ISS as a hub for research experiments, expanding opportunities for scientific exploration in space.
While commercial space stations like Haven-1 are often associated with space tourism, their primary focus remains on research-based activities. Unlike the ISS, which has limited space and crew time for experiments, commercial stations like Vast’s lab may prioritize different types of research initiatives. NASA is looking forward to the launch of private stations like Haven-1 to ensure a smooth transition from the ISS to commercial platforms in the coming years.
The development of Vast’s microgravity lab represents a significant step towards advancing space research and innovation beyond the capabilities of the ISS. With partnerships with experienced space companies and a clear vision for the future, Vast is poised to play a key role in shaping the next generation of space exploration.
