For many, home is where the heart is; for astronauts, that home is space, and often for extremely long durations. Since they spend weeks on end in orbit, the lines between office and home are blurred, which is why it is high time to implement the offerings of space startup Vast. Their project, called Haven-1, is aptly titled and aims to redefine long-term human habitation in space, not just for astronauts. The result is a homely and comfortable space poised to become the world’s first commercial space station. It’s a sleek, cylindrical outpost housing soothing, state-of-the-art facilities for scientific research, designed not to resemble a drab lab but to focus on the well-being and experience of its astronauts.
Vast has unveiled a series of renderings that give a glimpse into a haven of unparalleled comfort, productivity, and microgravity lab advancements, with hopes to launch its station via SpaceX’s Falcon 9 by August 2025. The US-based space habitation technology company enlisted renowned designer Peter Russell-Clarke, who was with Apple for 17 years and responsible for shaping some of its most iconic products, to bring the interiors to life.
From a massive centralized window that allows astronauts to experience a full view of Earth, to a real-time display with temperature and lighting controls, optimized cargo compartments, and soft, padded interior surfaces, these features are just the beginning. The four private crew quarters are roomier compared to those aboard the ISS, providing ample space for changing, entertainment, and private conversations with loved ones back on Earth, thanks to SpaceX’s Starlink connectivity.
Most importantly, Vast’s patent-pending signature sleep system, akin to a queen bed, provides a customized amount of equal pressure throughout the night and accommodates side and back sleepers alike, according to the website. “This is not just any old duvet,” said Hillary Coe, Vast’s chief design and marketing officer. “It’s a duvet that inflates, creating this equal pressure up against you, which allows for a beautiful, comfortable night’s rest.” The rooms are also equipped with built-in storage compartments, a vanity, and an amenities kit.
Outside, the common area serves as a multifunctional hub where the crew can gather for discussions, collaborate, enjoy meals together, or simply lounge. The modular space also features a 1.1-meter domed window, ensuring stellar views are not missed during activities. Additionally, the space includes a deployable, multi-use table to make mealtime easier. Health does not take a backseat in space, thanks to Vast’s addition of a resistance band system in the common area, complete with body and station anchors for customized exercise routines targeting bone, muscular, and cardiovascular fitness.
Vast is gearing up for the 2025 launch of Haven-1. Hillary Coe, Chief Design and Marketing Officer, explained, “Our long-term goal is for anybody to experience space. Of course, in the beginning, you will need to pay to come up and have that experience, and there will be a price tag that perhaps most of us won’t be able to afford on day one. But, over time, as it gets less expensive to put Haven-1 in Low Earth Orbit, access will become wider and wider.”
If simply hopping onto a space balloon that will take you nearly 132,000 feet high to the edge of the stratosphere weren’t cool enough, we already have Haven-1, the world’s first commercial space station, which will give wings to space-faring dreams like nothing else.
