Vast has begun testing its first commercial space station, Haven-1, at a facility in Mojave, California. The company announced that it started the primary structure qualification article on February 6, which included a proof test and a leak test. According to CEO Max Haot, Vast passed the critical proof test “on the first try” and has an “indiscernible” leak rate during the 48-hour leak test.
To reach this milestone, Vast pushed back its launch plans for Haven-1 from August 2025 to no earlier than May 2026. The revised timeline allows for additional testing, including structural load tests and simulations of the environment the module will experience during launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9.
Completing the qualification article is crucial for Vast’s work ahead on Haven-1. Haot said that this milestone provides clarity and derisks the rest of the program. He also mentioned that knowing how long it takes to build a flight-worthy station now allows Vast to update its timeline.
Under the revised schedule, Vast expects to complete the primary structure of the flight article in July and perform integration and testing in the second half of the year. The company will then conduct environmental testing at the Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio before launching Haven-1 on a Crew Dragon spacecraft in May 2026.
Vast’s approach to developing Haven-1 is designed to gain experience for its larger Haven-2 space station, which it plans to propose to NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations program. The company’s progress on Haven-1 will support its case for a phase 2 award and demonstrate its capability to build a safe and reliable space station.
Haot acknowledged that Vast’s approach may be perceived as faster than expected by some, but he emphasized the importance of completing each milestone before moving forward.
Source: https://spacenews.com/vast-begins-haven-1-testing-and-reschedules-its-launch