The American company Vast Space announced on social media that it had completed welding the main structure of Haven-1, the first commercial orbital station in history. This is an important step towards its launch.
American-made space stations.
The final weld of Haven-1’s primary structure marks the completion of the first space station flight article to be built and manufactured in the US in over 20 years. It’s the third major structure that Vast has completed in two years. pic.twitter.com/8wmHAUa1R1— Vast (@vast) October 8, 2025
Vast Space first announced its plans to create Haven-1 in 2023. Its main difference from similar commercial orbital station projects, which never progressed beyond the planning stage, is its relative simplicity. While other companies typically announce complex multi-module orbital stations, Haven-1 will consist of just one 14-ton compartment with an internal volume of 80 m³, not designed for permanent human habitation.
The Haven-1 station will rely on the Crew Dragon spacecraft’s life support system and will be able to accommodate four astronauts for 30 days. It will contain 10 racks for scientific equipment. Vast Space has already signed a number of contracts with various private companies to host their instruments and conduct experiments.
It is worth noting that the station project is being implemented with technical support from NASA. In particular, aerospace administration specialists have already tested the Haven-1 air filter system and confirmed that it is capable of providing a safe atmosphere for its future inhabitants. After assembly is complete, the station will undergo a series of tests at the Neil Armstrong Test Center. It has equipment for conducting thermal vacuum, acoustic, vibration, and other tests.
At present, the station is scheduled to launch in 2026. Once Haven-1 is in space, Vast Space will send up to four short-term manned missions to it on Crew Dragon spacecraft. The experience gained during the construction and operation of the station will be used in the design of the much larger multi-module Haven-2 station. Vast Space intends to submit its project to NASA for the CLD (Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations) program. Its goal is to promote the development of private stations that will replace the ISS.
