Well along the way to developing the next generation of orbiting space stations, Vast Inc. is now onto the next logical step: terrestrial.
Specifically, the Long Beach-based space company has established a Lunar Programs division to advance well-telegraphed aims by NASA to develop a permanently crewed base on the moon. In its announcement, the company touted its expertise in crew-rated space infrastructure, life support systems and habitats as being highly compatible with the agency’s mission.
“Vast has the manufacturing capability, flight heritage and technical expertise needed to help build humanity’s first lunar outpost,” said Max Haot, Vast’s chief executive, in a statement. “By vertically integrating the engineering, manufacturing and testing of habitats and infrastructure, Vast can move with the speed, efficiency, and safety that this national imperative demands.”
Managed tech phases
Vast highlights three phases of technology development for a lunar base: developing foundational infrastructure on the surface, establishing the initial operation with operational and habitat technology, and the larger crew deployment.
This infrastructure includes mobile power stations using solar energy as well as an array of satellites, which Vast is also developing.
“Very few companies in the world are actually building crewed space systems,” said Colin Smith, senior vice president of lunar programs at Vast, in a statement. “Doing it well requires excellence across engineering, manufacturing, testing, safety, mission operations, software and a dozen other disciplines all at once.”
