Private Space Firm Launches New Division to Build Infrastructure on the Moon
Long Beach, Friday, 25 September 2026.
Commercial space station developer Vast has established a lunar division, adapting its orbital station technology to compete for upcoming NASA contracts to build infrastructure and habitats on the moon.
Vast Unveils Lunar Division and Hardware Suite
Commercial space station developer Vast announced the formation of a dedicated lunar programs division on September 23, 2026, signaling a strategic pivot toward moon base infrastructure [1]. The company unveiled a new suite of surface hardware concepts designed to compete for contracts under NASA’s ambitious moon base initiatives [1]. This move highlights how private aerospace firms are expanding beyond low-Earth orbit to capture long-term government infrastructure spending on and around the moon [1]. Vast intends to heavily leverage the architecture of its Haven-1, its under-construction crewed commercial space station, for its Vast Lunar Habitat [1]. The company anticipates launching the Haven-1 space station into low-Earth orbit in 2027, with the structure currently in final integration at the company’s headquarters in Long Beach, California [1].
NASA Moon Base Timeline and ISS Succession
The announcement comes as Vast awaits what is expected to be a heated competition for development and flight services of a commercially owned and operated outpost in low-Earth orbit to succeed the International Space Station [1]. The operational life of the International Space Station is scheduled to end in 2030, creating a window of 4 years for transition planning from the current date [1]. NASA’s solicitation for phase 2 of its Commercial LEO Destinations program has been pending since August [1]. In Phase 2 of its Moon Base program, between 2029 and 2032, NASA aims to establish semi-permanent infrastructure for early habitation on the Moon, including crewed habitation, power stations, rovers and communications systems [1]. Phase 3, scheduled for 2032 and beyond, targets a sustained human presence on the Moon [1].
Strategic Hardware and Lunar South Pole Focus
Vast is initially pitching a wheeled power station that features unfurling solar panels, energy storage and power distribution capabilities [1]. Following the power station, Vast plans to deliver a free-standing airlock to validate the hardware’s ability to deal with lunar dust, its pressure vessel reliability, the efficiency of its pumping operations, compatibility with astronaut suits and surface placement techniques [1]. The culmination of Vast’s lunar architecture is a multi-module habitat designed to support long-duration crewed operations [1]. These efforts align with NASA’s focus on the lunar South Pole region, which offers unique opportunities for exploration, scientific discovery, and a long-term human presence [2]. The region may contain resources that could one day help support future explorers [2].
Integration and Communications Strategy
Vast also plans to lean on technology from its satellite program to provide lunar-orbiting communications, position and navigation satellites [1]. The architecture is intended to complement NASA’s planned Lunar Communications Relay and Navigation Systems, reduce reliance on constrained shared assets such as the Deep Space Network, and scale to broader lunar activity through the addition of future orbital planes [1]. Max Haot, CEO of Vast, stated that vertical integration of engineering, manufacturing, and testing of habitats would allow the company to move faster [1]. Upgrades to each generation of commercial space station would be extended to subsequent lunar habitats, according to the company [1].