NASA ’s International Space Station ( ISS ) has been command scummy Earth orbit for more than 25 years , caparison chemical group of astronauts in the microgravity surroundings . The orbital research laboratory ’s time in space , however , will soon come to an close , and NASA is looking for a substitution .
California - base fellowship Vast Space recently unveiled its plans to take over the coveted spot leave behind by the ISS , revealing the blueprint of its Haven-2 blank post . The company is set on advise its private space post for the 2d phase of NASA ’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations program ( CLD ) , with plan to establish the first module of Haven-2 in 2028 , according toVast .
Vast has been working onHaven-1 , which it contrive on launching in 2025 . The company claims its individual - module Haven-1 will be the domain ’s first commercial space place , capable of hosting short - duration delegacy for up to four astronauts at a time . But even before its first space place launching , Vast is eyeing that NASA contract to build another one as a commercial successor to the ISS .
An illustration of Vast Space’s Haven-2 station.Image: Vast Space
“ Our focus this decade is to win the NASA CLD contract bridge and build the successor to the [ ISS ] , ” Max Haot , Vast CEO , allege in a argument . “ To achieve this , we will first demonstrate our capability by make and operating the universe ’s first commercial-grade space station , Haven-1 . ”
NASA is plan on retiring the ISS by 2030 , sending it vanish through Earth ’s atmosphere where most of it will burn up from the heating plant of reentry . In 2021 , the outer space agency created its CLD program to recreate the succeeder of the ISS , but NASA is no longer in the business of build blank space stations . Instead , it simply desire to be a client , helping its commercial-grade partners build and run a space post that NASA can use .
The plan is for the first four faculty to be dock in a row , with Vast aiming to found a larger core module and four extra Haven-2 module between 2030 and 2032 , forming a familiar T - soma in orbit .
An illustration of Vast-2’s first module in space. Credit: Vast
Haven-2 will feature a lab for microgravity inquiry and in - space fabrication , as well as a cupola window exchangeable to the one found on the ISS , a robotlike arm , an air lock to support the docking of loading , and another air lock for spacewalks . Vast also intends on dedicate an entire faculty to external partners .
To put its space station invention in arena , Vast will have to compete against other company also work on their own ISS - alternate , including Axiom Space , Blue Origin , and Northrop Grumman . The company seems confident in its challenging timeline to operate Haven-2 within the next few year , but NASA will have to be the final evaluator .
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An illustration of the four modules in space. Credit: Vast
The infinite agency is already struggling with the age infinite station currently in area , with a late report play up the vesture and tear all those age of being give away to the rough surroundings of outer space have had on the ISS .
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Haven-2’s full configuration. Credit: Vast
