Growing up, many of us dreamed of one day venturing into space.
But the reality of life aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is much less glamorous than it seems.
As we recently discovered when two NASA astronauts were stranded there, the ISS is extremely claustrophobic, with residents forced to sleep in rooms the size of a phone booth, use vacuum-powered toilets, and wear the same underwear for weeks.
However, things are looking up for future space travelers as the world’s first private space station has been unveiled ahead of its launch next year.
Dubbed Haven-1, the space station is much more modern and spacious than the ISS, with queen-size beds, a state-of-the-art gym, and maple wood interiors.
Dubbed Haven-1, the space station is much more modern and spacious than the ISS, with queen-size beds, a state-of-the-art gym, and maple wood interiors.
Without gravity to keep you horizontal, sleeping in space has posed a challenge for astronauts in the past. However, Vast hopes to address that problem with a unique, patent-pending sleep system.
Haven-1 is the brainchild of American space company Vast, which partnered with world-renowned designer Peter Russell-Clarke for the design.
“Astronauts living in zero gravity pose unique design challenges,” said Russell-Clarke, who previously worked with Apple.
‘Creating an environment that is both highly efficient and naturally comforting leads to entirely new results.
“Haven-1’s interiors are unprecedented, designed with precision and sensitivity to ensure its occupants thrive in the space.”
From the outside, Haven-1 looks like any other spacecraft.
The space station features a centralized window that allows astronauts to experience a full view of Earth.
The interior is much warmer and more inviting than the ISS, with maple wood interiors throughout.
However, the interior is much warmer and more inviting than that of the ISS, with maple wood interiors throughout.
“In particular, the interior surfaces of Haven-1 are soft and padded to provide an additional safety component for the crew and visitors while floating,” Vast explained.
The station’s four private crew quarters are located above and below the main corridor and offer astronauts a space to rest and recharge.
‘Slightly larger than the crew quarters aboard the ISS, these expanded personal quarters are uniquely designed to allow for changes, entertainment, online communication with loved ones on Earth (enabled by SpaceX Starlink connectivity), and, most importantly, a good night’s rest. —said Vasto.
Haven-1’s interior surfaces are soft and padded to provide an additional safety component for crew and visitors while floating.
Astronauts will be able to stay active in the state-of-the-art gym, which features a resistance band system.
From the outside, Haven-1 looks like any other spacecraft. However, the interior is much warmer and more welcoming than other boats.
Without gravity to keep you horizontal, sleeping in space has posed a challenge for astronauts in the past.
However, Vast hopes to address that problem with a unique, patent-pending sleep system.
“(This) is approximately the size of a queen-size bed, provides a customized amount of equal pressure throughout the night, and accommodates both side and back sleepers,” the company explained.
The main common area measures 24 m³ and will serve as a multifunctional center where the crew can eat, exercise, conduct laboratory experiments and relax.
The main common area measures 24 m³ and will serve as a multifunctional center where the crew can eat, exercise, conduct laboratory experiments and relax.
Veteran NASA astronaut Andrew Feustel has spent more than 225 days in space on the ISS and played a critical role advising Vast on the space station.
A fold-out table can be folded to the floor when not in use, while astronauts will be able to view Earth through a large viewing window.
A fold-out table can be folded to the floor when not in use, while astronauts will be able to view Earth through a large viewing window.
Meanwhile, astronauts will be able to stay active in the state-of-the-art gym, which features a resistance band system.
“The resistance band system in the common area has body and station anchors for personalized exercise routines targeting bone, muscle and cardiovascular fitness,” Vast said.
“The system is capable of performing both linear and rotational resistance exercises, focusing on musculoskeletal health of the upper and lower body.”
While the cost of building Haven-1 has not been disclosed, Vast says he will have invested around $1 billion by the time the station launches.
The space station will not launch before August 2025, according to Vast
Veteran NASA astronaut Andrew Feustel has spent more than 225 days in space on the ISS and played a critical role advising Vast on the space station.
“From communication and connectivity to private space and interaction with others on board, to advancing human progress on Earth and beyond, every detail has been designed with the astronaut experience at the center of our work. “said Mr. Feustel.
“Much of our learning on the ISS explores how living in microgravity affects the human body, both physically and psychologically, and one conclusion I have learned is that intuitive design is not a luxury in that sense: it is key to ensuring that astronauts They can work and live in space without problems.
“Seeing Haven-1’s design solve many of the challenges we face aboard the ISS and using the progress we made there to ensure we can do it for the long term while taking care of ourselves is simply extraordinary.”
While the cost of building Haven-1 has not been disclosed, Vast says he will have invested around $1 billion by the time the station launches.