United States development
Vast
Vast is an American commercial space station company founded in 2021 by billionaire Jed McCaleb (co-founder of Ripple and Stellar).
- Headquarters
- Long Beach, United States
- Founded
- 2021
- Type
- commercial
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Long Beach, United States
- Stage
- Early stage
- Ownership
- Private
- Total raised
- $1.1B
- Last valuation
- $2.0B
- Employees
- 600 as of 2024
- Last round
- Series B · $500M 2026-03
- Investors
- 10
Quick Facts
About Vast
Vast is an American commercial space station company founded in 2021 by billionaire Jed McCaleb (co-founder of Ripple and Stellar). The company acquired Launcher (rocket startup) in 2023 and is developing Haven-1, a single-module commercial space station whose launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 is targeted for the first quarter of 2027 (Vast update, March 2026). Haven-1 would be the first commercial space station in orbit if launched as planned, hosting NASA, commercial, and private astronaut missions.
Vast has a Launch Services Agreement with SpaceX and a NASA CLD (Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination) study contract. The company is also developing Haven-2, a larger multi-module station intended to be operational when the ISS deorbits around 2030. Vast's business model centers on selling research time, tourism stays, and government crew transport slots. McCaleb has personally funded the company with hundreds of millions of dollars, giving Vast unusual financial runway for a space station startup.
Products and product lines
| Product | Line | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Haven-1 | Commercial space station module | Single-module station that completed its primary structure in January 2026 and advanced to integration; as of Vast's March 2026 update it is scheduled for launch in Q1 2027. |
| Haven Demo | Technology-demonstration satellite | Flew from November 2025, completed 49 test objectives while remaining power-positive, and performed a controlled deorbit on 4 February 2026 to validate systems for Haven-1. |
| Haven-2 | Multi-module space station (in development) | Larger, multi-module successor to Haven-1 intended to be operational as the ISS is retired; Vast is pursuing it as part of NASA's Commercial LEO Destinations Phase 2 competition. |
| Private astronaut missions | Human spaceflight services | NASA selected Vast for its sixth private astronaut mission to the ISS (announced 12 February 2026); France and the Czech Republic have signed agreements to fly astronauts on Vast missions, and ESA agreed in September 2026 to fly a Greek astronaut as part of that sixth mission. |
Timeline
- 2023 Max Haot becomes Vast's CEO in August, with founder Jed McCaleb transitioning to founder, board chair and tech fellow. [source]
- 2026 Vast reports Haven-1 has advanced into its integration phase as of 20 January. [source]
- 2026 NASA selects Vast for its sixth private astronaut mission to the ISS, announced 12 February. [source]
- 2026 Vast's Haven Demo satellite completes a controlled deorbit on 4 February after a three-month mission and 49 test objectives; Vast says this puts it roughly 40% of the way to a continuously crewed station and that Haven-1 is now scheduled for Q1 2027. [source]
- 2026 Vast secures $500 million in funding on 5 March ($300 million equity plus $200 million debt) led by Balerion Space Ventures, with IQT, Qatar Investment Authority, Mitsui, MUFG, Nikon and others participating, to accelerate Haven production. [source]
- 2026 France signs a two-mission agreement with Vast on 1 June covering an ISS mission and a future Haven-1 mission. [source]
- 2026 ESA signs an agreement with Vast on 9 September for a historic first Greek astronaut mission, flying as part of Vast's sixth NASA-partnered private astronaut mission to the ISS. [source]
Max Haot (CEO), Jed McCaleb (Founder)
Funding history
2 events · $1.1B raised| Date | Round | Amount | Investors | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-05 | Series B | $500M | Balerion Space VenturesIn-Q-TelQatar Investment AuthorityMitsuiMUFGNikonStellar VenturesSpace CapitalJed McCaleb $300M equity + $200M debt led by Balerion Space Ventures; Haven-1 launch targeting 2027 | vastspace.com |
| 2023-08-10 | Series A | $150M | Jed McCalebFounders Fund Series A funding for Haven-1 commercial space station | vastspace.com |
Investors
From the sourced rounds above. Investors with two or more deals in the directory link to a portfolio page.
Team
Open jobs
30 openings- Long Beach, California, United States
- Long Beach, California, United States
- Long Beach, California, United States
- Long Beach, California, United States
- Long Beach, California, United States
- Long Beach, California, United States
- Long Beach, California, United States
- Long Beach, California, United States
Live from Vast's own Greenhouse job board. See all open roles across the directory.
Signals
- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-09
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Frequently asked about Vast
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was Vast founded?
- Vast was founded in 2021 in United States.
- Where is Vast headquartered?
- Vast is headquartered in Long Beach, United States.
- What does Vast do?
- Vast is an American commercial space station company founded in 2021 by billionaire Jed McCaleb (co-founder of Ripple and Stellar). The company acquired Launcher (rocket startup) in 2023 and is developing Haven-1, a single-module commercial space station whose launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 is targeted for the first quart…
- Is Vast a public or private company?
- Vast is a privately held company and is not listed on any stock exchange.
- What sector does Vast operate in?
- Vast works in space stations, Human spaceflight and In space services, plus 2 other space-industry sectors.
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Vast is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.