Vast Space
Vast Space is a privately held U.S. aerospace company building commercial space stations to succeed the International Space Station. Its Haven-1 module, scheduled to launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 in 2027, serves government space agencies (NASA, CNES, ESA, UK, Lithuania) with crewed missions, microgravity research, and, from 2026, satellite bus services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersEl Segundo, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Vast Space does
Vast Space is a privately held U.S. aerospace company founded in 2021 by Jed McCaleb (co-founder of Ripple) and headquartered in Long Beach, California, with a stated mission to build next-generation commercial space stations that succeed the International Space Station. The company designs, manufactures, and operates space station modules and related spacecraft hardware using a vertically integrated, incremental development approach. Its core product, Haven-1, is described as the world's first commercial space station — a 10.1-meter single-module station with 45 m³ of habitable volume, 14,600 kg mass, 13.2 kW peak power from twelve deployable solar arrays, and SpaceX Crew Dragon integration for crew transport and life support — scheduled to launch on Falcon 9 in 2027. Sub-products include Haven-1 Lab (in-space research and manufacturing facility), a proprietary Large Docking Adapter with redundant pressure seals and MMOD shielding, and (announced May 2026) a high-power satellite bus line derived from station subsystems. Vast manufactures nearly all critical hardware in-house at a Long Beach ISO-7 cleanroom facility and a Mojave test site, covering primary structures, control moment gyroscopes (CMGs), environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS), power distribution, thermal control, and docking interfaces. Flight heritage was validated by the Haven Demo orbital testbed, which completed 49 test objectives in November 2025 aboard a SpaceX Bandwagon-4 rideshare before deorbit in February 2026; this was the first U.S.-built space station flight article in over 20 years.
Vast serves three primary customer segments: government space agencies (NASA, ESA, CNES for France, the UK Space Agency, the Czech Republic via ESA, and Lithuania's Innovation Agency) seeking commercial LEO platforms for national astronaut programs and post-ISS continuity; commercial research and manufacturing customers in pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and materials science requiring microgravity access; and satellite operators targeted via the new high-power bus line. Revenue mechanics are pre-commercial: the company generates mission-based government contracts (e.g., France's two-mission agreement) and is positioned for NASA's Commercial LEO Destinations procurement ($1B–$1.5B expected between 2026 and 2031), while a 'Create your mission' platform supports bespoke inquiry-based enterprise sales. The company is backed exclusively by founder Jed McCaleb with no externally disclosed funding rounds; operations are led by CEO Max Haot. Other key moves include the February 2023 acquisition of Launcher (spacecraft and propulsion) and the June 2026 establishment of a Paris European headquarters.
Vast Space firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vast Space
- Legal name
- Vast Space LLC
- Website
- https://vast.space
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Vast Space is a privately held U.S. aerospace company building commercial space stations to succeed the International Space Station. Its Haven-1 module, scheduled to launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 in 2027, serves government space agencies (NASA, CNES, ESA, UK, Lithuania) with crewed missions, microgravity research, and, from 2026, satellite bus services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vast Space industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Space Stations
- NAICS
- Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)
Keywords
Where Vast Space is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- El Segundo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Vast Space business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Commercial Space Station Services: Revenue from hosting government and commercial astronauts aboard Haven-1 and future stations. Governments (France, Czech Republic via ESA) pay for dedicated crew slots on private astronaut missions. The company offers microgravity research and manufacturing capabilities to pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and research organizations.
- Space Station Component Manufacturing: Revenue from in-house manufacturing of space station modules and spacecraft components. The company acquired Launcher in February 2023 to accelerate space station component development, potentially licensing or selling proprietary technologies.
- Satellite Bus Services: Vast expanded into high-power satellite buses in May 2026, leveraging in-house space station technology and proven Haven Demo satellite heritage for orbital spacecraft platforms.
- NASA Commercial LEO Destinations Contracts: Competition for NASA contracts ($1 billion to $1.5 billion expected between 2026 and 2031) to build commercial space stations as ISS successors. NASA is transitioning from owner to customer in LEO.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Private Astronaut Mission - Government agencies book dedicated crew slots for national astronauts aboard Haven-1 and ISS missions. |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Vast Space product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vast Space is developing commercial space stations and space infrastructure for government space agencies and commercial research organizations. The company is building Haven-1, positioned as the world's first commercial space station, alongside successor platforms like Haven-2 designed to follow the International Space Station. Vast uses an incremental, hardware-rich, low-cost development approach with in-house manufacturing of primary structure, life support systems, and station modules.
Product overview
Vast Space is developing a portfolio of next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. The core product lineup includes Haven-1, the world's first commercial space station scheduled for launch in 2027, which serves as a pathfinder module to be followed by Haven-2, a larger permanent successor to the International Space Station. Haven Demo validated critical station technologies in orbit. Additional offerings include Haven-1 Lab for microgravity research and manufacturing, a Large Docking Adapter for spacecraft connectivity, and high-power satellite buses. The company utilizes vertical integration, manufacturing key components including primary structures, control moment gyroscopes, battery modules, life support systems, and solar arrays in-house at its Long Beach, California headquarters.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Haven-1: World's first commercial space station, targeting launch in 2027
- Haven-2
- Haven Demo
- Haven-1 Lab
Products and services
- Haven-1 A single-module commercial space station designed to host crewed missions and microgravity research for government and commercial customers in low Earth orbit.
- Haven-2 A planned multi-module space station designed as a successor platform to the International Space Station for government and commercial research in low Earth orbit.
- Haven Demo An on-orbit testbed designed to validate subsystems, materials, and operations ahead of full station deployment.
- Haven-1 Lab A microgravity research laboratory integrated with the Haven-1 station, enabling hosted experiments and in-orbit manufacturing payloads for commercial and institutional researchers.
- Large Docking Adapter A standardized docking interface allowing crewed spacecraft and logistics vehicles to berth with Vast station modules.
- High-Power Satellite Buses High-power satellite bus products leveraging Vast's in-house power, propulsion, and avionics capabilities for external commercial and government customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 49 test objectives completed successfully in orbit
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Vast Space
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Vast Space technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Vast Space partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- European Space Agency (Czech Republic)coreESA, on behalf of Czech Republic, signed agreement with Vast for a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station in partnership with NASA. This represents the first ESA member state to sign such an agreement with Vast.
- UK Space AgencycoreVast signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK Space Agency to explore human spaceflight and science opportunities for Haven-1, including potential astronaut missions and research programs.
- France (CNES)flagshipFrance signed a historic two-mission agreement with Vast for missions to the ISS and Haven-1, scheduled to be the world's first commercial space station. Vast will establish European headquarters in Paris to support these missions and broader European operations.
- Innovation Agency LithuaniaminorVast signed MOU with Lithuania's Innovation Agency to support space industry engagement and scientific research collaboration, expanding European partnership network.
- VetsinTechminorVetsinTech launched 'Vets in Space' program connecting veterans and military spouses to careers in commercial space sector. Vast is one of the space company partners including Blue Origin, XBow, True Anomaly, and Anduril Industries providing workforce development opportunities.
- SpaceXflagshipSpaceX is Vast's exclusive launch provider for Haven-1 aboard Falcon 9 and crew transport via Crew Dragon. Haven-1 integrates Crew Dragon for essential life-support functions, leveraging proven SpaceX hardware to accelerate development timelines. Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President and COO, publicly expressed excitement about working with Vast to 'build more opportunities and destinations for more people to travel amongst the stars.'
- NASA Marshall Space Flight CentercoreVast conducted testing at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for Haven-1's trace contaminant control system, validating the system's ability to remove toxic pollutants and ensure clean air for crew missions. This testing supports NASA's Commercial LEO Destinations program.
- DHV TechnologycoreDHV Technology, a Spanish manufacturer, provides deployable solar arrays for Haven-1. Each solar panel produces 1.1 kW of power, with 12 panels totaling 13.2 kW peak power using triple-junction solar cells.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Vast Space competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Axiom Space: Direct competitor building commercial space station modules attached initially to ISS, then free-flying. Competitor for NASA Commercial LEO Destinations contracts and for private astronaut mission bookings with national agencies.
- Blue Origin: Partner with Sierra Space on Orbital Reef station and a competitor for NASA CLD. Comparable as a deep-pocketed commercial space company pursuing orbital habitation and broad space infrastructure.
- Sierra Space: Building the Orbital Reef commercial space station in partnership with Blue Origin. Direct competitor in NASA CLD bids and target customer base of government agencies and commercial researchers.
- Voyager Space: Developing Starlab commercial space station with Airbus. Direct NASA CLD competitor and counterpart in targeting ESA and European national agencies for commercial LEO access.
Emerging players
- Impulse Space: Provides in-space propulsion (Saiph thruster) and orbital transfer vehicles relevant to Vast's satellite bus expansion and station servicing. Technology integration partner with adjacent product overlap in orbital maneuvering.
- Bigelow Aerospace: Pioneer of inflatable space habitat technology with BEAM currently attached to ISS. Comparable commercial habitat concept though currently in a much earlier operational state than Vast.
Others
- Relativity Space: 3D-printed launch and satellite bus manufacturer competing in adjacent segments of the commercial space value chain. Comparable as a venture-backed space hardware company targeting similar enterprise and government customers.
- SpaceX: Vast's exclusive launch and crew transport partner via Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon, and aspirational competitor with its own long-term Starship-based habitation ambitions. Closely intertwined commercially though not a pure peer.
Broad incumbents
- Northrop Grumman: Built ISS modules (Cygnus, Unity, Destiny) and is developing a commercial station concept. Broad incumbent with deep NASA heritage competing for CLD contracts alongside Vast.
- Redwire Space: Provides space infrastructure including deployable structures, robotics, and in-space manufacturing tech relevant to commercial stations. Broad incumbent supplying components into the commercial LEO ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Vast Space social profiles
Digital presenceVast Space financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vast Space leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Vast Space subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Vast Space funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vast Space M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vast Space
What does Vast Space do?
Vast Space is developing commercial space stations and space infrastructure for government space agencies and commercial research organizations. The company is building Haven-1, positioned as the world's first commercial space station, alongside successor platforms like Haven-2 designed to follow the International Space Station. Vast uses an incremental, hardware-rich, low-cost development approach with in-house manufacturing of primary structure, life support systems, and station modules.
Is Vast Space a public or private company?
Vast Space is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Vast Space founded?
Vast Space was founded in 2021. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Vast Space based?
Vast Space is headquartered in El Segundo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vast Space make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Commercial Space Station Services are the primary driver. The others are space Station Component Manufacturing, satellite Bus Services and NASA Commercial LEO Destinations Contracts.
Who are Vast Space's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Axiom Space, Blue Origin, Sierra Space and Voyager Space. Emerging players are Impulse Space and Bigelow Aerospace. Others are Relativity Space and SpaceX. Broad incumbents are Northrop Grumman and Redwire Space.
Does Vast Space have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vast Space.
What industry is Vast Space in?
Vast Space's product category is Commercial Space Stations. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial), with a secondary code of IMABACAF, Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control. Its NAICS code is 336419 and its SIC code is 3760.