Vast-1 is a planned private spaceflight to the Haven-1 space station, planned to launch no earlier than August 2025 by American aerospace company Vast.[2] Vast-1 is expected to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket, using a Crew Dragon vehicle, both manufactured by SpaceX.[3][4] The stay on the station is planned to last no more than 30 days.[4] The spaceflight will include four astronauts who will be trained by SpaceX on their Crew Dragon capsule through simulations and formations.[5]
Crew
Seats on the mission are being sold to space agencies and private individuals who are involved in science and philanthropic projects at an unknown price.[6]
During the mission, the crew will conduct various experiments, relating to both science and in-space manufacturing.[7] As of June 2023, these experiments are unknown, however, they may be both internal and external.[8]
At some point during the mission, the Haven-1 space station's propulsion system will cause the station to rotate, providing artificial gravity, similar to the gravity one would experience on the Moon.[9][10] If successful, it would be the second time artificial gravity has been deliberately produced in a crewed spacecraft, with the first being on NASA's Gemini 11 in 1966.[11]
Future flights
Vast's contract with SpaceX includes the option for a second crewed mission to Haven-1 scheduled to launch no earlier than 2026, called Vast-2.[12]