Aerospace startup Vast Space, founded by former crypto tycoon Jed McCaleb, has signed an agreement with SpaceX. As part of the contract, Elon Musk’s company undertakes to carry out two private manned space launches to the International Space Station for Vast Space.
Haven-2. Image source: Vast Space
Further steps to implement the deal, announced Thursday, depend on Vast Space’s eventual victory in a bid to participate in NASA’s government program promoting the idea of sending private astronauts to the ISS. According to *Bloomberg*, NASA has been allowing private aerospace companies to send civilian crews to the orbital station since 2019, which is helping these firms more effectively assess the costs and risks associated with operating space stations.
Vast Space is among a number of companies interested in competing for the future of living and working aboard commercial space stations. If NASA wins the tender, the company plans to use SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon capsule to launch two private manned missions to the ISS.
Vast Space’s key competitor is currently Axiom Space, reports *Bloomberg*. Axiom has already flown three private astronaut missions to the ISS using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Dragon capsule, and is planning a fourth mission in 2025. Vast Space is also competing with billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin to develop a replacement for the ISS, which is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2030.
In October of this year, Vast Space announced plans to create the Haven-2 orbital center – a specialized space laboratory. This project will compete with other similar developments, from which NASA plans to select finalists for the role of successor to the ISS in 2026.
Previously, Vast Space also announced cooperation with SpaceX as part of a project to launch the Haven-1 space module, the predecessor of Haven-2, into low-Earth orbit. The module is planned to be launched no earlier than August 2025. As part of this collaboration, a manned mission will also be sent to Haven-1. The Haven-1 module will reportedly be equipped with Starlink satellite Internet from SpaceX.