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Race against time: what is happening with Nasa’s ageing International Space Station

Delays in Nasa’s planning are putting pressure on private firms developing the next generation of space stations.

4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Feb 3, 2026 06:15 PM IST

Haven-1 will initially fly without a crew. After launch, Vast plans to remotely monitor the station to make sure systems such as pressure control and orientation are functioning properly. (Image: Vast Space)

Nasa’s long-term plan to move on from the International Space Station (ISS) is entering a crucial phase, and the clock is ticking. The ISS, which has hosted astronauts continuously for over 20 years, is expected to be retired in less than five years. Yet, the space agency has still not released detailed rules for the commercial space stations that are meant to replace it. Several private companies are working on new orbital platforms, but uncertainty around Nasa’s requirements has added pressure to an already tight timeline.

At present, four companies are seen as the main contenders in Nasa’s commercial space station programme: Voyager Technologies, Axiom Space, Blue Origin, and Vast Space. Later this year, Nasa is expected to choose one or two of them for larger contracts under the second phase of the programme. These contracts will support the development of privately built stations that can take over once the ISS is decommissioned.

Also Read | NASA is retiring the ISS: What happens after it’s gone

Nasa’s goal is to ensure that humans can remain continuously present in low-Earth orbit while the agency shifts more attention to Moon and Mars missions. However, without clear guidance on what future stations must deliver, including how soon they need to support long-term human stays, companies are being forced to plan with limited visibility. Industry leaders and lawmakers alike have warned that further delays could create a dangerous gap between the ISS and its replacement.

Vast Space pushes ahead with Haven-1

Among the companies involved, Vast Space says it is furthest along. The company is starting with a smaller station called Haven-1, designed for short-duration missions rather than permanent crews. In an interview with Arc Technica, Vast Chief Executive Max Haot said Haven-1 was originally expected to launch in mid-2026, but that the timeline has slipped to the first quarter of 2027—a deadline the company feels confident it can meet while maintaining safety.

According to Haot, the main structure of Haven-1 has already been completed, with major testing milestones achieved. The next stage involves integrating systems such as thermal control, propulsion and avionics, followed by a full test campaign with NASA before launch.

Also Read | Your name could fly to the Moon: Nasa’s Artemis programme to begin soon

Haven-1 will initially fly without a crew. After launch, Vast plans to remotely monitor the station to make sure systems such as pressure control and orientation are functioning properly. Only after this phase will the company seek approval to send astronauts aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. Haot said a crew could arrive as early as a few weeks after launch, though it could take longer depending on reviews and readiness.

Vast has not yet announced who will fly to Haven-1, but Haot said discussions are underway with both private individuals and national space agencies. The station is expected to have a working life of about three years, during which several short missions of around two weeks each could take place, with the option of longer stays depending on demand and Nasa’s involvement.

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Looking beyond Haven-1, Vast plans a larger follow-up station that builds on the same core systems. Haot believes this step-by-step approach puts the company in a strong position as Nasa prepares to award its next round of contracts. He also said Vast’s aim aligns closely with Nasa’s needs: ensuring there is no break in human presence in orbit once the ISS is retired.

As Nasa weighs its next moves, pressure is growing to announce requirements and make decisions quickly. For companies like Vast, the next few months could determine whether commercial stations are ready in time or whether the ISS will need to stay in service longer than planned.

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