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Vast, a commercial space station developer, has announced a strategic partnership with SpaceX to integrate Starlink with its upcoming Haven-1 Space Station.
Scheduled for launch in 2025, Haven-1 is poised to become the world’s first commercial space station in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) that will test artificial gravity technologies, as previously reported by Cosmic Chronicles.
The partnership was unveiled on April 9, with Vast revealing plans to equip Haven-1 with laser intersatellite link terminals, enabling seamless communication with Starlink satellites. This collaboration extends beyond Haven-1, encompassing future space station projects envisioned by Vast.
Max Haot, CEO of Vast, emphasized the significance of integrating Starlink into Haven-1, stating: “If you need to provide high-speed, low-latency, continuous internet connectivity on a space station in orbit in 2025, SpaceX Starlink is the only option,” they stated in a press release. “We expect their network and technology leading position to continue and accelerate over time, which is why we are excited to have the chance to partner with SpaceX on deploying their first laser connectivity for a space station.”
Haven-1 will feature SpaceX’s Starlink “laser terminals,” delivering Gigabit-per-second speeds and minimal latency to its crew members. The innovative “laser link” communications technology promises unprecedented connectivity for space-based operations. As of today, SpaceX’s Starlink division operates a Starlink constellation of around 5,800 in LEO “with more than 8,000 space lasers across the constellation, Starlink satellites are able to connect thousands of kilometers apart, beyond the view of ground stations, and maintain pointing accuracy to enable data transfer up to 100 Gbps [Gigabits per second] on each link,” shared the company.
The implications of this partnership extend beyond using internet access for communication with mission control, it will also enable astronauts aboard Haven-1 to utilize the station’s Wi-Fi for various activities, including video streaming and to perform more accurate scientific experiments. Additionally, crew members will have the opportunity to utilize Starlink connectivity during leisure time, potentially engaging in online gaming while in space.
“High-speed, low-latency connectivity on orbit for crew and critical scientific research is critical to any space station experience,” said Stephanie Bednarek, SpaceX’s Senior Director of Commercial Sales. “We are excited for Vast’s Haven-1 to be the first commercial space station to stay connected with Starlink.”
The collaboration between SpaceX and Vast marks the first partnership of a commercial space station being equipped to connect to the Starlink network. With Starlink already serving over 2.7 million customers on Earth, this partnership paves the way for enhanced connectivity beyond our home planet.
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