Rendering of the full configuration of Vast’s Haven-2 commercial space station design. Photo: Vast

Vast is targeting a contract to build the successor to the International Space Station (ISS), unveiling Haven-2 on Monday, its proposed space station design. Vast said it developed Haven-2 to offer a compelling solution to ensure continued U.S. and international partner presence in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) after the ISS is retired. The company declared its intent to compete for the NASA Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) program Phase 2 with the Haven-2 design on October 14.

If selected for the NASA CLD program in 2026, Vast plans to have the first module of Haven-2, an evolved and NASA-certified version of Haven-1, fully operational in orbit by 2028. The first Haven-2 Module will be 5 meters longer than Haven-1, offering nearly twice the livable volume. The design also features the Haven-2 Lab to support a wide range of microgravity research and in-space manufacturing.

Following the deployment of the first Haven-2 module, Vast plans to build and launch three additional modules over a two-year period. These modules will adhere to the same design template, further expanding the station’s usable volume, enhancing available facilities, and efficiently delivering additional critical life support systems and consumables. Vast plans to introduce more advanced and efficient life support technologies with each launch.

“Haven-2 is being designed with compatibility in mind, ensuring that international partners can integrate seamlessly into this next-generation platform. This vision of global cooperation in space will create opportunities for scientific and technological advancements, benefiting new and current sovereign partners as well as industries around the world,” Andrew Feustel, a Vast advisor and veteran NASA astronaut, said in a statement. Feustel has 23 years of experience and three missions to the ISS, provided input into the features of the station design.