Program Description

Vast is releasing a general request for proposals that will remain open to support Vast flight opportunities in the next year and longer term. Vast aims to enable scientists and engineers to conduct innovative and technically excellent research on Haven-1, the world's first commercial space station.  Vast is taking a stepping stone approach to iteratively build a multi-module space station to achieve continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Haven modules will expand in size and space-based science capabilities between now and the planned de-orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030. Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station, will provide crew-supported research opportunities in LEO, with research opportunities available as soon as 2026. The Haven-1 mission schedule will provide access to multiple missions with opportunities to iterate, learn, and improve research and development comparatively faster than ISS, and years before other crewed commercial based platforms will be available.  Please refer to the Vast website for the most recent updates on mission profiles, timelines, and science capabilities. 

Starting with Haven-1, Vast space stations will provide a crew-occupied platform to support investigations that enable safe human exploration to the Moon and Mars, new discoveries in physical and biological sciences, and benefit humans on Earth in areas such as materials science and biotechnology.  Future Vast platforms will support advanced and scalable manufacturing for creating a profitable economy in low-Earth orbit and will support development of improved automation in hardware with reduced requirement for human interaction. 

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Eligibility

Vast aims to open the door to provide new ideas to the Vast research platform. This call is open to early-career and established researchers, technologists, and engineers with or without previous experience conducting research in space from for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, accredited institutions of higher education, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and Federal entities (collectively, “Eligible Entity”). Individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not eligible to receive funding. 

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Flight Opportunities 

The number of awards is contingent upon the availability of funds, flight opportunities, and the number of feasible and technically meritorious  proposals. Project budgets should reflect the actual needs of the proposed project, excluding the cost of the flight and Vast internal support for integration. 

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Cost Sharing

The respondent will be required to provide funding to support the research costs for awards made under this announcement. The percentage of cost sharing is not defined, but should be in proportion to the respondents’ current funding sources and potential funding opportunities outside of Vast. Vast recognizes the difficulty for new researchers to provide their own funding and will endeavor to match respondents with potential funding partners for highly meritorious investigations. Respondents will need to pre-coordinate with payload developers if their investigation requires use of  a facility on orbit. Payload providers do not need to be already partnered with Vast. Please refer to the Vast website to view a list of payload providers already partnered with Vast. If the proposal requires hardware other than a facility or in addition to a facility it should be described in the submitted form.

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Areas of Emphasis

Proposals can be ground-based or space-based. Ground-based proposals must demonstrate a clear path for a space solution in future efforts. Proposals should demonstrate novel data and  results that could provide valuable and profitable solutions for ground and space based industry. This general call for proposals is open to the following areas of research:  

• Human Research
  
  • Bone, muscle, cardiac health
  • Psychosocial
  • Medical technologies/systems
  • Food systems
• Physical Sciences 
  
  • Advanced materials
  • Flame and fluid behavior
  • Semiconductor/Fiber manufacturing
• Technology Demonstrations
  
  • Exploration Forward
  • Edge computing
  • Communication between ground- and space-based platforms
• Biology and Biotechnology
  
  • Stem cell
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • 3D bioprinting
  • Plant science
  • Cell biology
  • Microbiology
• STEM
  
  • Science in space
  • Ground based promotion

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Haven-1 Lab 

Haven-1 Lab is the world’s first microgravity research, development, and manufacturing platform on a crewed commercial space station. Furthering Vast’s commitment to foster increased innovation in the payload space, Vast is partnering with some of the foremost experts in the development of microgravity payloads. Vast’s Haven-1 Lab partner network will offer onboard facilities for research and development in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, advanced material manufacturing, biotechnology, scientific experiments, and more. 

The Vast Haven-1 User Guide should be used to develop technically feasible in-flight investigations. Please visit the research page on the Vast website for the most up-to-date list of payload partners and to learn more about capabilities. Additional hardware available for scientific use may include medical monitoring tools (e.g., ECG, blood pressure, ultrasound, otoscope, pulse oximeter, thermometer), microscopy, swabbing, and DNA sequencing capabilities. ‍

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Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be selected based on operational feasibility, scientific merit, cost and schedule, and commercial and financial viability as described below. Respondents are encouraged to describe how or provide information on existing industry partners to support how the proposed research and development could be transitioned into a viable business. It is important to provide clear information with well defined milestones. The first review will be a pass-fail initial screening. Passing proposals will be followed by a more detailed development of science requirements for final selection. Vast or subject matter expert reviewers may reach out to the respondent to clarify elements of the proposal to make a determination. Vast reserves the right to utilize both internal personnel and external subject matter experts for the evaluation of proposals. Reviewers may contact respondents to seek clarification on specific elements of their proposals as part of the determination process.

• Operational Feasibility. The degree to which the project plan is feasible to execute on the Vast space station, the proposal teams’ experience and plans to complete and operate the project. 
• Scientific and Technical Merit. The extent to which the proposed technical approach is innovative, feasible, achievable, and complete. Proposed deliverables need to be clearly defined and related to the end goal.
• Cost and Schedule. The extent to which the proposed costs are realistic for the technical approach, schedule, and end goal.
• Commercial Viability (if applicable). The viability of the plan to transition project technology from research and development to commercialization, including evidence of a market demand and return on investment. 
• Financial Viability (if applicable). The applicant’s overall financial health and ability to raise further capital. 

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Disclaimer

By submitting a proposal, the respondent represents and warrants that all information contained in the submission is non-proprietary, non-confidential, and derived solely from public sources or the respondent’s own independently developed work product that may be freely disclosed. The respondent further acknowledges and agrees that Vast is not requesting, and will not accept, any proprietary, confidential, or trade-secret information. All submissions must consist solely of information that is publicly available or independently developed and freely disclosable. Vast assumes no responsibility for safeguarding any information included in a submission and will treat all proposal materials as non-confidential. Vast may disclose and share any submission, in whole or in part, with third parties engaged by Vast to assist in reviewing, evaluating, or analyzing the proposals. Vast’s receipt or review of a proposal does not create any obligation, restrict Vast’s ongoing or future research and development activities, or limit Vast’s right to pursue technologies, solutions, or concepts that may be similar to or competitive with those described in any submission.‍

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Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates. 

Awards will be made on a rolling basis as proposals are received and evaluated. A response will be provided within 30 days of receiving a completed proposal. Proposals aimed for Haven-1 should be submitted by February 15, 2026, to allow time for development of spaceflight requirements and vehicle integration. Please direct questions to science@vastspace.com.

Vast, Inc. is subject to certain restrictions under U.S. law. In particular, U.S. economic sanctions and export controls including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) restrict Vast, Inc. from engaging in certain activities. You will be asked to provide information when completing the form linked below to help Vast, Inc. comply with those restrictions.

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Please complete the form at the link below to submit your proposal application for Vast science. 

www.vastspace.com/vast-science-rfp-2026