Space Station Startup Vast Launches Satellite Business

Vast, the California startup designing Haven space stations, just added a powerful new product line after its test mission succeeded beyond expectations.

The company announced it will now build and sell high-powered satellites for communications, Earth observation, national security, and data centers. The decision came after Haven Demo, a test spacecraft launched last November, performed flawlessly in orbit before completing a controlled return to Earth in February.

Haven Demo wasn't originally meant to launch a satellite business. Vast sent the spacecraft to low Earth orbit to test critical systems for its future space stations: propulsion, power generation, and avionics. But the technology worked so well that the company realized it had something special.

The key advantage is that Vast builds all its core systems in house, from electric thrusters to power systems. That means the company controls quality and can move fast without waiting on suppliers.

"We believe Vast is uniquely positioned to compete in the high-power satellite market through the combination of our world-class engineering team, large-scale manufacturing capabilities and the on-orbit success of Haven Demo," said CEO Max Haot.

The Ripple Effect

The timing couldn't be better. Demand for powerful satellites is exploding as companies race to build mega-constellations for internet service, Earth monitoring, and secure communications. Vast's first offering, a 15-kilowatt satellite bus, can carry over 770 pounds of payload and operate for five years in orbit.

One unnamed customer is already betting big on the technology. They've committed to buying four satellites with an option for 200 more, a deal that could transform Vast from a space station startup into a major satellite manufacturer.

Vast plans to launch its first batch of 10 satellites in late 2027. That same year, the company will send Haven-1, its first small space station, to orbit. If successful, Haven-2's modules will start launching in 2028, with new sections added every six months through 2032.

The company is essentially building the infrastructure for a new era in space, where private stations and powerful satellite networks work side by side to expand what's possible beyond Earth.