As noted in the Wired article, Vast Space's long-term goal is to develop a station with artificial gravity. According to CEO Max Haot, this will help determine whether comfortable long-term living is possible in conditions similar to the gravity of the Moon or Mars.
The first phase of the plans involves collaboration with SpaceX to launch two missions to the ISS as part of NASA's program to advance the space economy. In 2025, Vast Space aims to conduct a mission with four astronauts aboard Haven-1, which will last for two weeks.
Haven-1 will have a living space of 45 cubic meters, a laboratory, comfortable accommodations for the crew, and a communication system via Starlink. According to Haot, the station is not intended for space tourism but will serve important scientific and technological purposes.
“Although Haven-1 is not designed for tourists and is not built as a hotel, it will feature a comfortable and unique design compared to predecessor stations,” Haot says. “It will be inhabited by professional astronauts or self-funding individuals who will carry out important tasks, as the laboratory will serve as a demonstrator for Haven-2, which we aim to use to replace the ISS.”