Haven Demo Satellite in Low-Earth Orbit: Solar Panel Deployment | Vast
With NASA and its international partners set to decommission the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030, the private American space firm, Vast, is racing to launch the first commercial space station that it hopes will ultimately replace the ISS. The company has now completed an important milestone in the production of its first space station.
It launched its pathfinder, Haven Demo, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Bandwagon-4 mission on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Vast is a space station company founded in 2021 by Jed McCaleb.
The Haven Demo satellite has a mass of 515 kilograms and is expected to last for six months in orbit. With its solar array now deployed, the pathfinder will begin gathering crucial data for Vast's planned orbital station.
Haven Demo will "test radiation tolerant computers, power systems, software, sensors, reaction control systems, propulsion, radios, ground stations, and command and control to inform learnings for Haven-1, the world’s first commercial space station."
"Haven Demo achieved mission success after deploying from SpaceX’s Bandwagon-4 flight on Nov 2, 2025. Following nominal separation and stable sun-pointing, the spacecraft captured 4K video of its solar array deployment and is power-positive."
Vast’s first station, Haven-1, is due to launch no earlier than May 2026, also aboard a Falcon 9.
Haven-1 aims to help Vast beat other contenders for NASA Commercial LEO Destinations Phase 2 (CLD) funding. These companies include Axiom Space (Axiom Station) and Voyager Space/Airbus (Starlab), among others.
“Vast is moving forward at speed, building Haven-1 as the world’s first commercial space station. It is the stepping stone to kick off a larger, more capable multi-module space station and prove our technology, team, and facilities in space with crew,” said CEO Max Haot on X.
Vast’s Haven Demo will test out key capabilities, such as Reaction Control Systems (RCS), power systems, and propulsion, in preparation for Haven-1.
"Now is the time to meet NASA's call to transition its low-Earth orbit presence from the International Space Station (ISS) to a lower-cost commercial option. Vast is preparing to deliver for America and our international partners. We are working on the world's first, most affordable, commercial space station. Haven-1 will be Vast's first step toward a long-term commercial presence in orbit."
"Purpose-built for scientific research, in-space manufacturing, and extended human habitation, Haven-1 will ensure humanity’s continuous presence in space. Backed by a world-class team and built with speed, safety, and efficiency at its core, this marks the next era in human space exploration—not just reaching orbit, but staying there."
Vast Space's Haven-1 aims to be the "world's first commercial space station". "The era of commercial space stations begins with Haven-1, launching next year. Whether you are a sovereign nation, space agency, scientist, company, or private astronaut—the time is now. Join our mission and help pioneer the next giant leap in space exploration."
Learn more: https://www.vastspace.com/haven-1
Video Credit: Vast Space
Text Credit: Vast/NASASpaceflight[dot]com
Duration: 25 seconds
Release Date: Nov. 3, 2025
#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #VastSpace #Haven1 #Satellites #HavenDemo #SpaceX #Falcon9Rocket #CommercialSpaceStations #CommercialSpace #SpaceTechnology #SpaceLaboratory #MicrogravityResearch #PrivateAstronauts #UnitedStates #SpaceAgencies #International #STEM #Education #HD #Video
JAXA.jpeg)
.png)
