The first Private Space Station is under development

The first Private Space Station.  ©  Vast Space

Vast Space is building the first private Space Station, Haven-1, which measures 4.4 meters across and features an interior comparable in size to a city bus.

For nearly 25 years, the International Space Station (ISS) has stood as one of humanity’s greatest achievements, welcoming nearly 300 astronauts from 26 countries. But NASA plans to retire the ISS around 2030. Instead of building the next station on its own, the agency aims to rely on private companies, purchasing services rather than funding full development and upkeep.

One of the frontrunners in this effort is Vast Space, which has partnered with SpaceX to launch Haven-1. The station is designed to stay in orbit for three years, during which it will host four two-week missions, each with four astronauts.

Haven-1 will include a laboratory for microgravity experiments—research that could benefit industries from semiconductors to pharmaceuticals. It will be open to both government and private crews, helping Vast Space gain the experience needed to compete for the future ISS replacement.

source Vast Space