Revolutionizing space travel, Vast Space aims to launch its first space station, Haven-1, into low Earth orbit by 2025, with the ambitious goal of creating a commercial market for space stations with artificial gravity.
Revolutionizing Space Travel: Vast Space’s Ambitious Plan for a Commercial Space Station with Artificial Gravity
The concept of space travel has long fascinated humans, and with the advancement of technology, it’s now becoming increasingly feasible. One company that’s making waves in the industry is California-based Vast Space, founded by Jed McCaleb, the creator of peer-to-peer networks eDonkey and Overnet, as well as the early and defunct crypto exchange Mt. Gox.
Aiming for the Stars
Vast Space has big ambitions, with a goal to launch its first space station, Haven-1, into low Earth orbit by 2025. The company plans to run two missions to the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with SpaceX and aims to secure a contract with NASA’s Commercial Destinations in Low Earth Orbit program. This partnership will not only demonstrate Vast Space’s capabilities but also help the company outpace its competitors.
Artificial Gravity: A Game-Changer
Vast Space’s long-term goal is to create a space station that has artificial gravity, which would allow astronauts to stay in space for extended periods without the negative effects of weightlessness. The company believes that with artificial gravity, humans could live comfortably for a lifetime, rather than just a year or so in weightless conditions.
Haven-1: A Step Towards Artificial Gravity
The first space station, Haven-1, will have a habitable volume of 45 cubic meters and will be equipped with a docking port, a corridor with consumable resources, a laboratory, and a deployable communal table. The station will use Starlink laser links to communicate with satellites in low Earth orbit.
A New Era for Space Stations
Vast Space’s strategy is somewhat similar to that of Texas-based Axiom Space, which has a contract with NASA for producing modules for the ISS. However, Vast Space aims to create its own commercial space station using these modules and plans to launch four people on a SpaceX Dragon in 2025.
The Future of Space Travel
Once the Haven-1 mission has launched, Vast Space will begin working on its second station, Haven-2. The larger station will have two docking ports, twice the pressurized volume, and more life support resources. The core module of Haven-2 will be launched in 2030, with the already launched modules attaching to it.
A New Era for Space Travel
Vast Space’s ambitious plan is focused on creating a commercial market that does not exist yet. The company believes that its project will allow for a cost reduction of about five times or more and is sure that it can create an efficient and low-cost company. If Vast Space succeeds in securing NASA as an anchor customer and attracting countries hitherto excluded from the market, its dreams will be within reach.
A Step Towards a New Frontier
Vast Space’s plan for a commercial space station with artificial gravity is a game-changer for the industry. With its ambitious goals and innovative approach, the company is poised to revolutionize space travel and make it more accessible to humans.
