Vast

HardwareLong Beach, USAFounded 2021· One of 1806 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

A space habitation company developing the world's first commercial artificial gravity space stations to enable long-term human presence in Earth orbit and beyond.

CEO / Founder: Max Haot
Team Size: 1001-5000
Stage: Active
Total Funding: $1B+
Latest Round: Series A
Key Investors: Jed McCaleb, Balerion Space Ventures, In-Q-Tel, Qatar Investment Authority, Mitsui & Co., MUFG, Nikon Corporation, Stellar Ventures, Space Capital, Earthrise Ventures

Technology & Products

Key Products

Haven-1: World's first commercial single-module space station, Haven-2: Proposed multi-module successor to the ISS (NASA CLD program), Vast-1: The first crewed mission to Haven-1 via SpaceX Dragon, Haven-1 Lab: Microgravity research and manufacturing platform, Haven Demo: In-space testbed for Haven-1 technologies (successfully flown and deorbited 2025-2026), Vast Satellite: 15 kW-class high-power satellite bus platform (announced May 2026), Orbiter: High-performance space tug and hosted payload platform, E-2 Liquid Rocket Engine: 3D-printed staged combustion engine technology

Technological Advantage

Deep vertical integration following the acquisition of Launcher, utilizing large-scale metal additive manufacturing (Velo3D) for propulsion and structural components, and a strategic launch partnership with SpaceX.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Provides a standalone, scalable commercial alternative to the International Space Station (ISS) featuring artificial gravity capabilities, luxury-grade interiors, and rapid deployment timelines.

How They Differentiate

Pioneering artificial gravity via centrifugal rotation to mitigate zero-G health risks, combined with luxury-grade interior design and rapid deployment of single-module stations (Haven-1).

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Domestic and international space agencies (e.g., NASA, ESA), private researchers, pharmaceutical and biotech firms, and private individuals (philanthropists and space tourists).

Industry Verticals

Aerospace & Defense, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Academic Research, Space Tourism, In-space Manufacturing

Competitors

Axiom Space; Blue Origin (Orbital Reef); Voyager Space (Starlab); Sierra Space

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Grew to approximately 1,184 employees by December 2025 (up from ~345 in 2023), primarily based at its Long Beach, CA headquarters.

Major Milestones

Acquisition of rocket startup Launcher in Feb 2023, Secured SpaceX partnership for Haven-1 launch in May 2023, Selected for NASA's Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities-2 (CCSC-2) in June 2023, Completed primary structure of Haven-1 in late 2024, Haven Demo launched Nov 2025, achieved mission success, deorbited Feb 2026, Haven-1 primary structure completed and passed pressure/load testing Jan 2026, Raised $500M ($300M Series A equity + $200M debt) in March 2026, Selected for NASA's 6th private astronaut mission to ISS in early 2026, Launched Vast Satellite high-power bus product line in May 2026

Notable Customers

NASA (CCSC-2 Agreement + 6th private astronaut mission selection); SpaceX (Launch & Crew Partner); Confidential customer for 4 Vast Satellite buses (with option for up to 200 more)

https://www.vastspace.com

Recent coverage of Vast

VAST has secured 50 million dollars in Series A funding to scale its AI-driven 3D foundation models.Mar 6, 2026

Equipment deals on record

Publicly disclosed purchases or installs only.

AM equipment system2026-03-23Buyer: Tallinna Tehnikaülikool · Supplier: OÜ Tavast Eesti

View full equipment ledger

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

Vast is positioning itself as a commercial alternative to the International Space Station by integrating artificial gravity through centrifugal rotation. The company aims to mitigate the physiological effects of zero-G on long-duration missions while offering luxury-grade interiors to attract private astronauts, researchers, and pharmaceutical firms. Founded in 2022, it has scaled rapidly to over 400 employees and a 115,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.

The company's core technology stack relies on large-scale metal laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) from Velo3D for propulsion and structural components, a capability deepened through the 2023 acquisition of rocket startup Launcher. Its first product, Haven-1, is a single-module station scheduled to host the Vast-1 crewed mission via a SpaceX Dragon. A follow-on multi-module station, Haven-2, is proposed under NASA's Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development program. Vast also develops the E-2 liquid rocket engine, a 3D-printed staged combustion engine, and the Orbiter space tug for hosted payloads.

Target customers include NASA, ESA, and other space agencies, along with biotech and pharmaceutical companies seeking microgravity research platforms, academic researchers, and private individuals. Vast holds a NASA CCSC-2 agreement and has SpaceX as its exclusive launch and crew transport partner. Competitors include Axiom Space, Blue Origin's Orbital Reef, Voyager Space's Starlab, and Sierra Space, but Vast differentiates through its artificial gravity capability and a faster deployment timeline for a single-module station.

The company's strategic moat rests on deep vertical integration—combining in-house propulsion, additive manufacturing, and a tight partnership with SpaceX—and $1.5 billion in funding from investors including Jed McCaleb and In-Q-Tel. An open question is whether the artificial gravity system can be demonstrated reliably on Haven-1's tight schedule and whether the luxury-resort model will generate sufficient commercial demand to offset the high capital costs of station deployment.