Company: Vast
Nomination Submitted by: Global Results Communications
Company Description: Founded in 2021 by Jed McCaleb, Vast is developing humanity’s safest, most capable space stations and pioneering the next giant leap toward long-term living and thriving in space. In pursuit of its mission to establish a spacefaring future for all, Vast plans to launch a fully realized artificial gravity station in the 2030s.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Aerospace & Defense - Large
 Nomination Title: Vast – Building Next-Generation Space Stations
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since January 1 2023, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 102 words used.
Founded in 2021 by Jed McCaleb, Vast is developing humanity’s safest, most capable space stations and pioneering the next giant leap toward long-term living and thriving in space. Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station, will be home to the Haven-1 lab, the world’s first crewed, commercial microgravity platform for scientific research, development, and in-space manufacturing. Vast is also developing its future Haven-2 space station to compete for NASA’s Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) program. In pursuit of its mission to establish a spacefaring future for all, Vast plans to launch a fully realized artificial gravity station in the 2030s.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2023 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 218 words used.
In June 2023, Vast received the Space Act Agreement (SAA) under NASA’s CCSC-2 initiative. The agreement opened doors to collaboration with NASA on the development of key space technologies, and future microgravity and artificial gravity stations.
Haven-1 is scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station, slated to launch in the second half of 2025. Supported by pioneering space habitation technology, Haven-1 will be home to the world’s first microgravity research, development, and manufacturing platform aboard a commercial space station, designated for both private astronauts and government missions.
In 2024, Vast announced the inaugural partners for the Haven-1 Lab, Redwire and Yuri, both foremost experts in developing microgravity payloads. In June 2024, Vast signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Czech Ministry of Transport, agreeing to support future European space missions and commercial ventures aboard Vast space stations. Vast also officially partnered with The Exploration Company, scheduling a cargo mission to Haven-2 for 2028. Both the ESA and The Exploration Company will act as vital connections between the space economies of the US and the EU, facilitating global participation in future space exploration and commercial opportunities. Finally, Vast partnered with SpaceX to make Haven-1 the first commercial space station to connect via laser terminals to the SpaceX Starlink satellite network.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 214 words used.
These achievements reveal Vast’s rapid progress and determination in just over a year. Securing an SAA with NASA highlights Vast’s ability to align with strict government standards while leveraging NASA’s technical expertise, accelerating the development of Haven-1. The SAA also marks the first time a commercial space station company secured both a contracted launch for its station alongside a human spaceflight mission.
With the planned decommissioning of the International Space Station (ISS), Vast seeks to bridge the potential gap in human spaceflight, research, and cross-sector collaboration in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Determined to provide continuity and a lasting human presence in space, Haven-1 and the Haven-1 lab are Vast’s first steps to build upon the last two decades of ISS operations, and the foundational work of NASA and its international partners. Haven-2 will be an advanced evolution of Haven-1, also designed to serve a range of entities, including NASA, additional U.S. government organizations, international space agencies, private researchers, and more.
The success of the groundbreaking, artificial gravity technology could allow Vast to serve as the origin point for long-term human habitation in space. Ultimately, these achievements strengthen Vast’s position as a leading player in the commercial space industry, and spotlight our clear vision, solid execution, and aptitude to deliver high-impact, future-focused solutions for space.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 128 words used.
Vast Website
Mission / Station Updates
Collaborations and Partnerships
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