Vast, a California-based aerospace startup has unveiled its first commercial space station, Haven-1. Guided by a former Apple designer and backed by a talented team of engineers and experts.
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Haven-1 was developed with a focus on human-first design led by designer Peter Russell-Clarke known for his work with Apple and NASA veteran astronaut Andrew Feustel, who has spent over 225 days in space. Their combined expertise ensures the space station is not just functional but also comfortable.
Hillary Coe, Vast’s Chief Design and Marketing Officer addressed that the company is creating a future where space is accessible to all with an approach that considers the comfort of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The Haven-1 space station features a variety of amenities designed for both work and relaxation. These include, a patent-pending sleep system that provides optimal rest in zero gravity, allowing users to customize the pressure on a queen-size bed for a better night’s sleep.
Private rooms equipped with personal storage, a vanity and entertainment systems. These rooms are designed to offer connectivity through SpaceX’s Starlink gigabit-speed internet, allowing seamless communication with loved ones back on Earth.
A multipurpose common area for communal meals, gatherings and exercise, promoting social interaction among the crew and guests in the space station.
Haven-1 is fitted with modern technological systems aimed at improving the living conditions in space. The station’s real-time display system keeps track of essential elements like temperature, lighting and the status of supplies, ensuring that all information is readily accessible to the occupants.
Each room is equipped with advanced communication technology so astronauts can stay in touch with Earth, monitor the station and manage the environment with ease.
The design of Haven-1 is guided by Peter Russell-Clarke, an iconic designer responsible for some of Apple’s most well-known products. The station focuses on making space travel comfortable and stylish with its warm.
Forget the cold aluminum interiors often associated with spacecraft. Vast has chosen fine-grained maple wood to add warmth and elegance to Haven-1, a design choice usually found in luxury homes, not space stations.
With padded walls and soft materials, astronauts don’t have to worry about bumping into hard surfaces. Astronauts can control their personal environment by adjusting temperature and lighting.
The lighting is also designed to regulate circadian rhythms, addressing a common complaint from International Space Station astronauts.
One of the features of Haven-1 is its signature sleep system designed to ensure astronauts get quality rest. The sleep system is roughly the size of a queen bed and accommodates both side and back sleepers.
This duvet inflates to provide equal pressure. Hillary Coe, Vast’s Chief Design and Marketing Officer addressed the importance of comfort in space.
Haven-1 offers private cabins with storage, vanity and other personal amenities, allowing astronauts to feel at home. Each cabin is designed for both function and comfort.
Vast has also included built-in storage compartments and custom amenities kits in each cabin, giving the space station a hotel-like feel.
This level of personalization plans to make long-duration space missions more bearable and enjoyable for its inhabitants.
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A massive, 3.6-foot domed glass window provides passengers with breathtaking views of Earth. This unique feature will likely become a highlight for private astronauts allowing them to gaze at the planet from low-Earth orbit and take in the singular beauty of space.
Rather than focusing solely on research, Vast understands that private astronauts will want to take in the view. The station is designed to offer a high-class capsule experience, where gawping at Earth from space is part of the journey.
The station includes the world’s first microgravity research and development lab aboard a commercial space station. Research in microgravity has unique advantages including the accelerated growth of human skin cells, which could contribute to cancer research and other medical breakthroughs.
Vast envisions private astronauts not just enjoying their stay but also contributing to these kinds of scientific innovations.
Vast’s team believes the station will not only advance human spaceflight but also foster scientific progress that benefits life on Earth. As Coe states, Haven-1 is about living and thriving in space, not surviving.
One of the challenges of long-term space missions is maintaining physical health. Haven-1 addresses this by including a fully equipped fitness center where astronauts can exercise and maintain muscle mass, even in zero gravity.
The gym ensures astronauts can keep up with regular exercise routines, an essential aspect of staying healthy in space. This amenity adds to the station’s focus on overall well-being and comfort.
Vast understands the importance of staying connected with loved ones, even from space. Haven-1 includes advanced communication systems that allow astronauts to easily stay in touch with family and friends back on Earth.
SpaceX’s Starlink will provide the internet connectivity needed for these communications, guaranteeing reliable, high-speed internet access even in low-Earth orbit.
Vast’s goal is to develop artificial gravity space stations. Founder Jed McCaleb, who made his fortune in cryptocurrency has a grand vision for space colonization and the utilization of space resources to benefit Earth.
McCaleb believes space exploration is essential for humanity’s future. With Earth’s finite resources, space offers enormous untapped wealth both in terms of energy and matter that could support multiple Earth-like civilizations.
Haven-1 is set to launch in 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon rocket. The first paying customers are expected to board in 2026.
The station is designed not just for private astronauts but also for commercial and government missions.
Although Vast hasn’t disclosed the price for a trip aboard Haven-1, it’s likely to be a premium experience reserved for the ultra-wealthy.
With a single seat aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon flight to the ISS costing $55 million, a trip to Haven-1 could be similarly priced.
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