Haven-1 Lab Introduced by Vast
Haven-1 Lab Introduced by Vast
First Commercial Microgravity Research, Manufacturing, and Development Platform
Haven-1 Lab, which is being designed as the world’s first microgravity research, development, and manufacturing platform on a commercial space station, has been introduced by Vast. The Haven-1 Lab, set to launch no earlier than the second half of 2025 on Haven-1, will be a hub for companies, governments, and other entities to collaborate on science, research, and in-space manufacturing.
“The ISS may be on its way to be retired in 2030, but the institutional knowledge deserves a new platform for future microgravity research and manufacturing innovation.”
Max Haot, Vast
Once in orbit, Vast’s Haven-1 Lab will allow partners to offer onboard facilities for research and development in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, advanced material manufacturing, biotechnology, scientific experiments, and more. The Haven-1 Lab features 10 Middeck Locker Equivalent payload slots, each roughly the size of a microwave. Each payload slot can weigh up to 30 kg (66 lbs), is provided with 100 W of continuous power, and has access to an Ethernet data connection. Payloads will be operated by the astronaut crew on Haven-1, as well as commanded and monitored by ground operators via Starlink laser links, providing Gigabit/s speed, low latency connectivity. Partners will have the opportunity to return products and samples from space via a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
In tandem with Vast’s announcement of its Haven-1 Lab, the company also announced Redwire and Yuri as its inaugural partners, representing some of the foremost experts in the development of microgravity payloads.
“The ISS may be on its way to be retired in 2030, but the institutional knowledge deserves a new platform for future microgravity research and manufacturing innovation. Our Haven-1 Lab is designed to provide that bridge well before the eventual retirement of ISS. This ensures that as we begin a new era of commercial space stations we can continue and expand upon vital international and commercial science and research in low Earth orbit (LEO),” said Vast CEO, Max Haot.
"Microgravity experts and industry leaders like Redwire and Yuri need a consistent platform in space for conducting research and expanding cross-sector advancements with the inherent advantages of a crewed environment. We are proud to provide the foundation for that work and honored that they have entrusted us with their proven technology.”
Redwire owns nine payloads and facilities currently installed on the ISS including Redwire’s BioFabrication Facility, which successfully printed the first ever human meniscus and first live human heart tissue in space. "Redwire is excited to be a key payload partner for Vast’s Haven-1 Lab as we continue to accelerate momentum in creating a new and dynamic economy in low Earth orbit. Haven-1 is the first private sector platform that Redwire hardware will launch with, extending the legacy of the ISS into a new era of commercial platforms,” said Mike Gold, Chief Growth Officer at Redwire.
Yuri, Vast’s second inaugural payload partner, will expand its innovative payload opportunities to the global institutional and commercial research community through its partnership with Vast. By utilizing the on-orbit version of ScienceTaxi, Yuri will unlock new scientific discoveries through its superior technical capabilities, such as advanced space microscopy. This initiative will harness the potential of LEO for commercial biotech advancements.
In addition to these inaugural partnerships, Vast is pursuing payload partnerships in a variety of cutting-edge industries, including semiconductor and advanced material manufacturing, edge computing, and machine learning.