On May 19, 2026, Vast announced the launch of Vast Satellite, a new business line dedicated to the production of high-power satellite buses. These platforms are designed for operators in the telecommunications, Earth observation, national security, and future orbital data center sectors.
The company, which is currently developing the commercial space station Haven-1, is now expanding into the high-performance satellite market. The first model introduced is a 15 kW platform intended for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions, with future capabilities planned for Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO), and lunar missions.
According to Vast, the new satellite will leverage many of the technologies already developed internally for Haven-1. This includes avionics, power systems, flight software, communications, and propulsion. The company states that these components were validated in orbit during the Haven Demo mission in 2025.
The Legacy of Haven Demo
The Haven Demo mission served as Vast’s initial in-orbit testbed for its developed technologies. The demonstrator satellite was launched in November 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Bandwagon-4 mission. It successfully completed onboard system tests before undertaking a controlled re-entry on February 4, 2026.
Data collected during the mission has been instrumental in validating the software and hardware architectures that will now be repurposed for the Vast Satellite project.
Jim Martz, Senior Vice President of Special Projects at Vast and formerly a satellite program lead for SpaceX’s Starshield and Muon Space, commented that Haven Demo allowed for direct verification of system performance within the intended operational environment.
A 15 kW Bus for High-Energy Demand Missions
Vast’s new satellite platform targets the growing demand for high-power satellites, essential for advanced constellations and payloads with significant energy requirements. It will have a dry mass of approximately 700 kg and can accommodate over 350 kg of payload. Deployable solar panels will provide up to 15 kW of power, with the system capable of supporting payloads with peak demands exceeding 20 kW.
Vast has also announced plans to optionally integrate the NVIDIA Space-1 Vera Rubin module, designed for onboard AI processing. Furthermore, the company has revealed that it has already secured its first customer for the new satellite line, though the client’s name has not been disclosed. The initial contract is for four satellites, with an option to expand the order to up to 200 units. Vast aims to organize an inaugural mission by the end of 2027, launching 10 satellites of the new 15 kW platform.
