New Delhi, May 11 — American space habitation company Vast, which is preparing to launch the world’s first commercial space station next year, has shown interest in using Indian rockets to transport astronauts to its orbital lab. The company’s CEO, Max Haot, met with senior officials from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) during the Global Space Exploration Conference held in New Delhi to explore potential areas of collaboration in space technology.
Vast, based in California, is currently developing Haven-1, a single-module space station planned for launch in May 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This initiative is part of a larger effort to create the next-generation replacement for the International Space Station, which is expected to be decommissioned by 2031. As per agency report, Haot confirmed that the company is on track for the May 2026 launch and intends to conduct a series of preparatory tests before sending astronauts to the station by July next year.
Looking further ahead, Vast also plans to construct a much larger space station, Haven-2, with its first module expected to be launched by 2028. The company’s long-term vision aligns with the global shift toward privatized orbital infrastructure following the eventual retirement of government-backed platforms.
Haot expressed particular enthusiasm for India's Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send its first human spaceflight by early 2027. His interest in Indian launch capabilities reflects growing international recognition of ISRO’s cost-effective and reliable space technology.
