Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Nasa's ISS Replacement Plans Face Tight Deadlines
Nasa is working on a plan to replace the International Space Station (ISS) with new space stations built by private companies.
The ISS, which has been in use for over 20 years, is expected to be retired in less than five years.
Nasa has not yet released detailed rules for these new stations, which has made it difficult for companies to plan.
Four companies are currently in the running: Voyager Technologies, Axiom Space, Blue Origin, and Vast Space.
Nasa is expected to choose one or two of these companies for larger contracts later this year.
Vast Space is the furthest along with their project, called Haven-1.
Haven-1 is designed for short missions and is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2027.
After launch, Vast Space plans to monitor the station remotely before sending astronauts.
The station is expected to have a working life of about three years.
Nasa's goal is to ensure that humans can continue to live and work in space without any breaks in their presence.
Nasa is planning to replace the ISS with commercial space stations, with the ISS expected to retire in less than five years.
Four companies (Voyager Technologies, Axiom Space, Blue Origin, Vast Space) are competing for Nasa's commercial space station program.
Vast Space's Haven-1 is the furthest along, with a planned launch in the first quarter of 2027.
Haven-1 will initially fly without a crew, with astronauts potentially arriving a few weeks after launch.
Nasa aims to ensure continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit while shifting focus to Moon and Mars missions.
- Who
- Nasa and private companies (Voyager Technologies, Axiom Space, Blue Origin, Vast Space)
- What
- Plans to replace the International Space Station (ISS) with commercial space stations
- When
- ISS expected to be retired in less than five years, Haven-1 launch in the first quarter of 2027
- Where
- Low-Earth orbit
- Why
- To ensure continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit while Nasa shifts focus to Moon and Mars missions
- ISS Retirement Timeline
- Less than five years
- Companies in Nasa's Program
- Voyager Technologies, Axiom Space, Blue Origin, Vast Space
- Haven-1 Launch Date
- First quarter of 2027
- Haven-1 Working Life
- About three years
- Haven-1 Mission Duration
- Short missions of around two weeks each
- Nasa's Goal
- Ensure continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit
- Vast Space's Approach
- Step-by-step development with Haven-1 as the first stage
- Nasa's Next Move
- Expected to choose one or two companies for larger contracts later this year