Vast's Haven Demo Mission Marks a New Era in Commercial Spaceflight

In a significant leap towards establishing a commercial presence in low-Earth orbit, Vast’s Haven Demo mission successfully launched into space on Sunday, November 5, 2025. The mission, which took off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, is a crucial step for Vast as it aims to prove its spacecraft designs can withstand the rigors of spaceflight.

The Haven Demo spacecraft, weighing half a ton, was propelled into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Bandwagon 4 mission, which also carried 17 other satellites, including a South Korean spy satellite and a testbed for an orbital data center developed by startup Starcloud in collaboration with Nvidia. This collaborative launch highlights the growing interest in commercial space ventures and the diverse applications of satellite technology.

Upon reaching orbit, the Haven Demo successfully deployed its solar array, a vital component for generating power in space. The deployment was not only a technical success but also visually stunning, as Vast shared 4K video footage of the event on social media. Max Haot, CEO of Vast, expressed his enthusiasm on X, stating, “What a launch night and team at Vast! And thanks for the ride, SpaceX. Haven Demo’s mission success has turned us into a proven spacecraft company. The next step will be to become an actual commercial space station company next year. Something no one has achieved yet.”

Vast, which is backed by crypto billionaire Jed McCaleb, is among several companies competing for a NASA contract to establish a commercial outpost in low-Earth orbit. However, Vast is distinguishing itself with an iterative approach to development. Following the success of Haven Demo, the company plans to launch Haven-1, a human-rated habitat module, in 2026. This module will serve as a precursor to a more complex multi-module space station named Haven-2.

The Haven-1 module has already made significant progress, with its primary structure, including a hatch and a domed window, completed and undergoing rigorous testing in Mojave, California. The module will soon enter final inspections and integration processes in Vast’s clean room located in Long Beach, California.

As the race for commercial space stations heats up, Vast’s methodical approach may set a precedent for future endeavors in the industry. With plans for a fully operational space station in the works, the company is poised to make a lasting impact on the commercial spaceflight landscape. The successful launch of Haven Demo marks just the beginning of what could be a transformative journey into the final frontier.