Vast and SpaceX to Launch Two Human Spaceflights to ISS 2024
Vast, a trailblazer in space habitation technology and the developer of Haven-1, poised to become the world’s first commercial space station in 2025, has announced an expanded partnership with SpaceX. Under this collaboration, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will facilitate up to two Dragon missions to the International Space Station (ISS) in support of Vast’s bid for NASA’s Private Astronaut Missions (PAM) program. These missions, contingent on NASA’s selection, would represent the fifth and sixth PAMs awarded by the agency.
While continuing the development of Haven-1, Vast plans to leverage these additional ISS missions to deepen collaboration with NASA and global space agencies. Through the PAM program, Vast aims to engage private individuals and international customers, further solidifying its position in the evolving low-Earth orbit (LEO) economy. These efforts also align with Vast’s preparation for NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination (CLD) Phase II program, which will determine the successor to the ISS.
“Enabling payload and crewed missions to the ISS is central to Vast’s strategy,” said Max Haot, CEO of Vast. “These missions strengthen our expertise in human spaceflight operations and collaboration with NASA, positioning us as a leading contender to deliver the next-generation successor to the ISS and advance human space exploration.”
This partnership expands Vast’s launch manifest with SpaceX, which includes Falcon 9 delivering Haven-1 into orbit and a subsequent Dragon mission to transport crew to the station. Haven-1 will feature Starlink’s high-speed laser-based internet, enhancing its operational capabilities.
Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “I am excited to work with Vast as they build more opportunities and destinations for more people to travel amongst the stars.”
Advancing Human Spaceflight: A Strategic Step Forward
Vast’s collaboration with SpaceX on Private Astronaut Missions (PAMs) represents a major milestone in the evolution of human spaceflight. This partnership aligns with several key NASA objectives, such as expanding the pool of PAM providers, sharing knowledge from previous missions, and supporting NASA’s broader goal of building a sustainable low Earth orbit (LEO) economy.
NASA launched its PAM strategy in 2019 to foster the rapid development of commercial spaceflight. By offering industry partners the opportunity to manage crewed space missions, the strategy is designed to provide valuable experience in critical areas such as crew selection, training, mission planning, execution, and ensuring the health and safety of astronauts. The increasing success and demand for PAMs underscore their importance, especially as the International Space Station (ISS) nears the end of its operational life in 2030. With PAMs playing a central role, the future of crewed space missions looks bright, with commercial partners taking on a larger share of the responsibilities.
Vast is also engaging with sovereign governments to expand the scope of crewed missions to the ISS. One notable development in this area is the Czech Republic’s signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Vast in November 2024. This agreement highlights the growing international interest in private space missions and the potential for collaboration between government agencies and commercial entities.
Laying the Groundwork for Haven-1 and Beyond
NASA’s PAM program offers Vast a critical platform to showcase its expertise in managing complex crewed space missions. The insights gained from these missions will play a vital role in refining the design and operation of Vast’s upcoming projects, such as the Haven-1 space station and its successor, Haven-2. These projects represent a significant step forward in space infrastructure and will provide important lessons for future space endeavors.
As Vast sets its sights on NASA’s Commercial Lunar Development (CLD) Phase II competition, the company is focusing on cementing its position as a leader in next-generation space infrastructure. By partnering with SpaceX and NASA, Vast is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the future of human space exploration and the commercialization of LEO. The company’s growing expertise and innovative approach are helping to shape the future of space travel and infrastructure, ensuring a dynamic and sustainable space economy for the years to come.