Vast is Accelerating Production of Haven Space Stations

Vast, building next-generation space stations, led by Jed McCaleb, Max Haot, and the team, has raised $500 million in new funding led by Balerion Space Ventures with participation from IQT, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Mitsui & Co., Ltd, MUFG, Nikon Corporation (Nikon), Stellar Ventures, Space Capital, and Earthrise Ventures to advance its mission of enabling humanity to live and work in space long-term. Jed McCaleb, founder and first investor, also participated in the round. As part of the transaction, Balerion Advisor A.C. Charania, former Chief Technologist for NASA, will join the Vast board.

Vast’s strategic roadmap includes low-Earth orbit space stations, future habitats for the Moon and Mars, and crewed systems designed to expand the commercial space economy while supporting national defense partnerships and capabilities.

Vast stands at a pivotal moment in the growth of the low-Earth orbit economy, according to Chief Executive Officer Max Haot. The company’s Haven stations are designed to provide safe and cost-effective access to microgravity research and in-space manufacturing, enabling government and commercial partners to expand opportunities in the next phase of the commercial space economy.

Vast successfully flew its spacecraft Haven Demo last month, testing key technologies for Haven-1 and reducing technical risk, according to Charania of Balerion. The Haven stations are expected to support continuous human presence in orbit and expand the low-Earth orbit economy.

Vast is advancing toward continuous crew operations by 2030, with upcoming milestones including the launch of Haven-1 in 2027, a private astronaut mission with NASA, and a bid for the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations Phase 2 program to build a successor to the International Space Station. Since its founding in 2021, the company has rapidly built capabilities in space hardware design, manufacturing, testing, and operations, highlighted by the successful flight and deorbit of Haven Demo and the ongoing integration of Haven-1.

Vast was founded with a long-term vision of enabling billions of people to live and thrive in space, according to founder Jed McCaleb. The company’s strategy focuses on building, testing, and iterating with real hardware while attracting investors who share confidence in its long-term potential and vision.

Vast’s vertically integrated model has achieved a 10× reduction in primary structure manufacturing costs compared with traditional space station programs, while increasing capability and accelerating production timelines.

More than $1 billion has been invested to date in technologies and facilities at Vast, supporting readiness to replace the International Space Station in 2030. The latest financing includes $300 million in Series A equity and $200 million in debt to advance the company’s Haven space stations, including the proposed successor Haven-2, designed to ensure continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit.