Vast and SpaceX have announced another partnership that will see the world’s first commercial space station, Haven-1, equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink laser terminals. Vast had previously announced a partnership with SpaceX to launch Haven-1 into space onboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
Scheduled for launch in 2025, Haven-1 aims to provide its crew with internet connectivity through Starlink’s laser link technology. This technology is not just about keeping the crew connected to the internet however. According to Vast’s CEO, Max Haot, it’s about ensuring “high-speed, low-latency, continuous internet connectivity” that is crucial for the space station’s operations.
The introduction of Starlink’s laser technology to space stations represents a significant leap forward. Previously used to improve coverage and decrease latency for users on Earth, the laser links can transmit broadband data through space at impressive speeds, promising up to a 100Gbps connection per link.
SpaceX’s technology will support a wide range of activities from scientific experiments to personal outreach via video calls, with the crew even able to indulge in online gaming during their rest times, a novelty in space connectivity.
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. 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.
Max Haot
SpaceX’s Senior Director of Commercial Sales, Stephanie Bednarek, echoed the importance of this high-speed, low-latency connectivity for both crew and critical scientific research.
High-speed, low-latency connectivity on orbit for crew and critical scientific research is critical to any space station experience. We are excited for Vast’s Haven-1 to be the first commercial space station to stay connected with Starlink.
Stephanie Bednarek
The partnership between Vast and SpaceX extends beyond Haven-1, with plans already in place to provide Starlink connectivity to future Vast platforms.
