This is an image of the star WOH G64, taken by the GRAVITY instrument on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (ESO’s VLTI). This is the first close-up picture of a star outside our own galaxy, the Milky Way. The star is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, over 160 000 light-years away. The bright oval at the centre of this image is a dusty cocoon that enshrouds the star. A fainter elliptical ring around it could be the inner rim of a dusty torus, but more observations are needed to confirm this feature.
“For the first time, we have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in image of a dying star in a galaxy outside our own Milky Way,”
says Keiichi Ohnaka, an astrophysicist from Universidad Andrés Bello in Chile. Located a staggering 160 000 light-years from us, the star WOH G64 was imaged thanks to the impressive sharpness offered by the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (ESO’s VLTI). The new observations reveal a star puffing out gas and dust, in the last stages before it becomes a supernova.
“We discovered an egg-shaped cocoon closely surrounding the star,” says Ohnaka, the lead author of a study reporting the observations published today in Astronomy & Astrophysics. “We are excited because this may be related to the drastic ejection of material from the dying star before a supernova explosion.”
While astronomers have taken about two dozen zoomed-in images of stars in our galaxy, unveiling their properties, countless other stars dwell within other galaxies, so far away that observing even one of them in detail has been extremely challenging. Up until now.
The newly imaged star, WOH G64, lies within the Large Magellanic Cloud, one of the small galaxies that orbits the Milky Way. Astronomers have known about this star for decades and have appropriately dubbed it the ‘behemoth star’. With a size roughly 2000 times that of our Sun, WOH G64 is classified as a red supergiant.
Ohnaka’s team had long been interested in this behemoth star. Back in 2005 and 2007, they used ESO’s VLTI in Chile’s Atacama Desert to learn more about the star’s features, and carried on studying it in the years since. But an actual image of the star had remained elusive.
For the desired picture, the team had to wait for the development of one of the VLTI’s second-generation instruments, GRAVITY. After comparing their new results with other previous observations of WOH G64, they were surprised to find that the star had become dimmer over the past decade.
“We have found that the star has been experiencing a significant change in the last 10 years, providing us with a rare opportunity to witness a star’s life in real time,”
says Gerd Weigelt, an astronomy professor at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany and a co-author of the study. In their final life stages, red supergiants like WOH G64 shed their outer layers of gas and dust in a process that can last thousands of years.
“This star is one of the most extreme of its kind, and any drastic change may bring it closer to an explosive end,”
The team thinks that these shed materials may also be responsible for the dimming and for the unexpected shape of the dust cocoon around the star. The new image shows that the cocoon is stretched-out, which surprised scientists, who expected a different shape based on previous observations and computer models. The team believes that the cocoon’s egg-like shape could be explained by either the star’s shedding or by the influence of a yet-undiscovered companion star.
As the star becomes fainter, taking other close-up pictures of it is becoming increasingly difficult, even for the VLTI. Nonetheless, planned updates to the telescope’s instrumentation, such as the future GRAVITY+, promise to change this soon.
“Similar follow-up observations with ESO instruments will be important for understanding what is going on in the star,”
concludes Ohnaka.
The Large Magellanic Cloud is a satellite galaxy to the Milky Way, located 160 000 light-years away from us. Despite the staggering distance, the GRAVITY instrument of the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (ESO’s VLTI), managed to take a closed-up picture of the giant star WOH G64. This image shows the location of the star within the Large Magellanic Cloud, with with some of the VLTI’s Auxiliary Telescopes in the foreground.
More information
ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer is able to combine light collected by the telescopes of ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), either the four 8-metre Unit Telescopes or the four smaller Auxiliary Telescopes, creating highly detailed pictures of the cosmos. Effectively, this makes the VLTI a “virtual” telescope with a resolution equivalent to the maximum distance between the individual telescopes. This process is highly complex and needs instruments especially dedicated to this task. Back in 2005 and 2007 Ohnaka’s team had access to the first generation of these instruments: MIDI. While impressive for its time, those observations with MIDI only combined the light from two telescopes. Now, researchers have access to GRAVITY, a second-generation instrument able to capture the light of four telescopes. Its improved sensitivity and resolution made the image of WOH G64 possible. But there is more to come. GRAVITY+ is a planned upgrade of GRAVITY which will be able to take advantage of different technological updates performed at the VLTI and VLT. With these, the VLTI will be able to see objects fainter and farther than ever before.
** SpaceX Dragon moved to new parking spot on space station – VideoFromSpace
The SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts, including two crew members formerly aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, moved their Crew Dragon capsule to another docking port to make way for a new cargo Dragon arrival.
** NASA’s SpaceX 31st Cargo Resupply Services Rendezvous and Docking – Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 – NASA Video
Loaded with scientific experiments and supplies, an unpiloted SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft automatically docked to the International Space Station’s earth-facing port of the Harmony module Nov. 5. The SpaceX resupply spacecraft launched from launch pad 39-A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida Nov. 4 as part of the company’s 31st commercial resupply mission for the agency and will remain at the station for one month.
** NASA’s SpaceX CRS-31 Research: Bristol Myers Squibb and Redwire Space – ISS National Lab
On SpaceX’s 31st Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA to the International Space Station, Bristol Myers Squibb will build on its legacy of protein crystallization in order to support the manufacturing of more effective therapeutics. This video provides an overview on their investigation and the impacts it may have on future patient care.
** NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Talks with KATU-TV Portland 241029 – Tuesday, October 29, 2024 – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Don Pettit of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Oct. 29 with KATU-TV in Portland, Oregon. Pettit is in the midst of a long-duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.
** NASA Astronaut Butch Wilmore Talks with Tennessee Tech – Tuesday, November 5, 2024 – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Nov. 5 with Tennessee Tech University. Wilmore, an alumnus of the university, is in the midst of a long-duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.
** IAF GNF SESSION – Space Stations 2.0: Opportunities on Commercial LEO Destinations – Int. Astronautical Fed.
The International Space Station (ISS) has been a spectacular platform for scientific research, technology development, and worldwide diplomacy for over 20 years. The orbiting laboratory’s contributions to humanity for both terrestrial applications and the future of spaceflight are unparalleled. However, the lifetime of the ISS is coming to an end in the near future, and the realm of government-run assets in low-Earth orbit (LEO) will soon transition to commercial space stations run by private companies.
Will the scientific discoveries and international partnerships of the last two decades still be possible in this new era? This panel session will explore the opportunities, capabilities, and frameworks of commercial space stations from the perspective of astronauts, microgravity researchers, technologists, investors, and policymakers around the world.
=== Chinese space habitats
** China’s Shenzhou 19 crew enters Tiangong space station after docking – VideoFromSpace
China’s Shenzhou 19 crew, Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, completed ingress into the Tiangong space station shortly after docking on Oct. 29, 2024 (Oct 30 – Beijing time). See their launch: https://www.space.com/space-explorati…
** China’s Shenzhou-18 Astronauts Ready to Return After In-Orbit Crew Handover – CCTV Video News Agency
The Shenzhou-18 astronauts transferred control of the Tiangong space station to the newly arrived Shenzhou-19 crew on Friday as they prepared to return to Earth.
** Shenzhou-18 Astronauts Return to Earth with Scientific Materials – CCTV Video News Agency
The three astronauts of China’s Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceflight mission have returned to Earth with scientific materials from the Tiangong space station.
The Shenzhou-18 (神舟十八) crew spacecraft undocked from the Tianhe Core Module (天和核心舱), departing the China Space Station (中国空间站), on 3 November 2024, at 08:12 UTC (16:12 China Standard Time). The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft is expected to make a parachute-assisted landing at the Dongfeng landing site, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, returning the seventh crew of three astronauts on a mission to the China Space Station (中国空间站): Guangfu Ye (叶光富, commander), Cong Li (李聪) and Guangsu Li (李广苏).
** Starship is the Easy Part – Mars Society’s Zubrin Charts the Real Challenges on our way to Mars – SpaceWatch.Global TV
Guest: Dr. Robert Zubrin, Founder of the Mars Society and Author of “The New World on Mars”
In this expansive conversation, Dr. Robert Zubrin takes us beyond the technical challenges of reaching Mars to explore the complex realities of establishing permanent human settlements on the Red Planet. While the world watches Starship development, Zubrin reveals how energy production, food sustainability, radiation protection, and governance structures pose the real challenges for human survival on Mars. His insights challenge common misconceptions and propose innovative solutions for everything from terraforming to creating new societies, demonstrating how Mars settlement could reshape human civilization both on and off Earth.
Quotable Insights:
1. “Mars will be ruled by the Martians. Different groups of people will emigrate to Mars with very different ideals as to what the ideal society should be.” 2. “We don’t go to Mars to desert the Earth. We go to Mars to expand the capacity of the human race, to create new branches of human civilization.” 3. “I believe that humans are not the enemies of life, humans are the vanguards of life.” 4. “We have in our power to begin the world anew.”
Cosmic Timeline (Timestamps):
• [00:00:00] Opening: Mars governance and future civilizations • [00:02:23] Realistic timeline for human Mars missions within next decade • [00:03:46] Energy challenges on Mars – nuclear vs. solar power • [00:06:20] First expedition structure and duration • [00:09:31] Economics of Mars transportation and Starship development • [00:13:51] Transition from expeditions to permanent settlements • [00:20:00] Mars Against Hunger Prize and food production innovations • [00:30:34] Radiation protection strategies and reality check • [00:34:23] Living arrangements: underground vs. surface habitats • [00:40:56] Terraforming possibilities using fluorocarbon gases • [00:42:42] Alternative terraforming methods using iron nanoparticles • [00:49:23] Mars governance models and settlement structures • [00:56:18] Immigration and settlement competition between colonies • [01:05:06] Mars as human expansion rather than planetary backup • [01:08:32] Personal motivations and future vision • [01:09:57] Music selection: Beethoven’s Third Symphony
Share this episode with anyone interested in exploration, sustainable technology, or the future of human civilization. This conversation goes beyond the typical space exploration narrative to explore how
=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:
** Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba, barrels into the Gulf in satellite time-lapse – VideoFromSpace
NOAA’s GOES-East satellite captured Hurricane Rafael from Nov. 5-7, 2024.
** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA
Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.
The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8
Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov
Check out the night sky this month, November 2024. Here are videos and a list of websites highlighting the top sights to observe.
** What’s Up: November 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL
What are some skywatching highlights in November 2024?
This month, catch planetary views of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, witness a close pass of the Parker Solar Probe by Venus, and get ready for an occultation of the bright star Spica by the Moon.
0:00 Intro 0:20 November planet highlights 1:38 Venus & Parker Solar Probe’s flyby 3:03 Occultation of Spica 4:25 October photo highlights 4:38 November Moon phases
Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatch….
** Comet A3, meteor showers and Solar System moons. What’s in the night sky, November 2024 – BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal what’s in the night sky in November 2024, including where Comet C/2023 A3 will be, this month’s meteor showers and transits of Jupiter’s and Saturn’s moons.
00:00 Intro 00:15 Inner Solar System 03:20 Outer Solar System 10:16 Galilean Moons 12:18 Saturn’s moons 12:58 Face in Albategnius, Eyes of Clavius 13:58 Jupiter and 11th mag star 15:28 Northern Taurid meteor shower 16:05 Star Tipped Mountain and perigee full Moon 17:50 Leonid meteor shower 17:26 Titan shadow transit 18:46 Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS 20:28 Deep sky
** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – November 2024 | Meteor Showers, the Moon, and Mars – Sky & Telescope Youtube
Our monthly Sky Tour #astronomy #podcast provides an informative and entertaining 10-minute guided tour of the #night #sky. Join us for the November 2024 episode and get in sync with the #Moon’s phases, watch the #sky for all five bright #planets (#jupiter, #venus, #mars, #mercury, #saturn), get the lowdown on a #celestial queen, and get ready for three #meteorshower viewings.
Listen and subscribe to this podcast at https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/ and don’t forget to subscribe to S&T’s YouTube channel to get alerts about new videos, including this monthly podcast
Learn more about #observing and #stargazing on our website, https://skyandtelescope.org/ and subscribe to our monthly magazine at https://skyandtelescope.org/subscribe.
Saturn’s moon Titan Mars and the Beehive Cluster
Lacus Mortis
✨ Constellation of the Month: Cetus
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, looking at the night sky with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope, check out our Tour of the Night Sky to find out what you can see this month. #WINS#Astronomy#WhatsInTheNightSky
Looking to expand your astronomy knowledge even further? The Astronomy Hub is the place to learn everything from what’s in the sky this month, to what gear can help you capture the best celestial images. Learn more here ➡️ https://www.highpointscientific.com/a…
Follow us on Instagram / highpointscientific Follow us on Facebook / highpointscientific Sign up for our email newsletter https://www.highpointscientific.com/c…
#highpointscientific #astronomy #november
Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:38 – Andromeda Galaxy 01:27 – The Double Cluster 02:15 – Mesarthim 02:42 – The Little Dumbbell 03:27 – Nearest Neighbors 04:45 – Uranus at Opposition 05:36 – Conclusion
Fittingly nicknamed the Dark Wolf Nebula, this cosmic cloud was captured in a 283-million-pixel image by the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile. Located around 5300 light-years from Earth, the cold clouds of cosmic dust create the illusion of a wolf-like silhouette against a colourful backdrop of glowing gas clouds.
For Halloween, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) reveals this spooktacular image of a dark nebula that creates the illusion of a wolf-like silhouette against a colourful cosmic backdrop. Fittingly nicknamed the Dark Wolf Nebula, it was captured in a 283-million-pixel image by the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile.
Found in the constellation Scorpius, near the centre of the Milky Way on the sky, the Dark Wolf Nebula is located around 5300 light-years from Earth. This image takes up an area in the sky equivalent to four full Moons, but is actually part of an even larger nebula called Gum 55. If you look closely, the wolf could even be a werewolf, its hands ready to grab unsuspecting bystanders…
If you thought that darkness equals emptiness, think again. Dark nebulae are cold clouds of cosmic dust, so dense that they obscure the light of stars and other objects behind them. As their name suggests, they do not emit visible light, unlike other nebulae. Dust grains within them absorb visible light and only let through radiation at longer wavelengths, like infrared light. Astronomers study these clouds of frozen dust because they often contain new stars in the making.
Of course, tracing the wolf’s ghost-like presence in the sky is only possible because it contrasts with a bright background. This image shows in spectacular detail how the dark wolf stands out against the glowing star-forming clouds behind it. The colourful clouds are built up mostly of hydrogen gas and glow in reddish tones excited by the intense UV radiation from the newborn stars within them.
Some dark nebulae, like the Coalsack Nebula, can be seen with the naked eye –– and play a key role in how First Nations interpret the sky[1] –– but not the Dark Wolf. This image was created using data from the VLT Survey Telescope, which is owned by the National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy (INAF) and is hosted at ESO’s Paranal Observatory, in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The telescope is equipped with a specially designed camera to map the southern sky in visible light.
The picture was compiled from images taken at different times, each one with a filter letting in a different colour of light. They were all captured during the VST Photometric Hα Survey of the Southern Galactic Plane and Bulge (VPHAS+), which has studied some 500 million objects in our Milky Way. Surveys like this help scientists to better understand the life cycle of stars within our home galaxy, and the obtained data are made publicly available through the ESO science portal. Explore this treasure trove of data yourself: who knows what other eerie shapes you will uncover in the dark?
Notes
[1] The Mapuche people of south-central Chile refer to the Coalsack Nebula as ‘pozoko’ (water well), and the Incas called it ‘yutu’ (a partridge-like bird).
** NASA Astronaut Suni Williams Talks with WGBH Boston Public Radio – Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview October 16 with WGBH/Boston Public Radio. Williams is in the midst of a long-duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.
** NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Talks with KGW-TV, Portland – Thursday, October 10, 2024 – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Don Pettit of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview October 10with KGW-TV, Portland. Pettit is in the midst of long-duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.
** Science Launching on SpaceX’s 31st Cargo Resupply Mission to the Space Station – NASA
Scientific investigations launching to the International Space Station on the 31st SpaceX commercial resupply services mission include studies of solar wind, a radiation-tolerant moss, spacecraft materials, and cold welding in space.
Want the latest update for NASA’s Artemis campaign? Check out this update, which features how missions like the Europa Clipper mission will help future Artemis launches to the Moon.
Advancing NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) spacesuit design, the AxEMU provides increased flexibility, performance, and safety, as well as specialized tools to aid in exploring the lunar south pole. The suit accommodates a wide range of crewmembers, including males and females from the first to 99th percentile (anthropomorphic sizing). It will withstand extreme temperatures at the lunar south pole and endure the coldest temperatures in the permanently shadowed regions for at least two hours. Astronauts will be able to perform spacewalks for at least eight hours.
The AxEMU incorporates multiple redundant systems and an onboard diagnostic system to ensure safety for crewmembers. The suit also uses a regenerable carbon dioxide scrubbing system and a robust cooling technology to remove heat from the system. It includes advanced coatings on the helmet and visor to enhance the astronauts’ view of their surroundings, as well as custom gloves made in-house featuring several advancements over the gloves used today. The spacesuit architecture includes life support systems, pressure garments, avionics and other innovative systems to meet exploration needs and expand scientific opportunities.
Axiom Space developed the AxEMU using a single, foundational architecture. The architecture is evolvable, scalable and adaptable for missions on the lunar surface and in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
Axiom Space has iteratively improved this next-gen spacesuit over the past two years to support the Artemis III mission. The AxEMU has undergone extensive testing and simulations with a wide range of astronauts and engineers at state-of-the-art Axiom Space, SpaceX and NASA facilities. Testing was conducted underwater to simulate the lunar environment with an unoccupied spacesuit at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) and reduced gravity simulations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
… a NASA contract to develop a Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS) and test it aboard the International Space Station in late-2026.
The technology may be critical for the success of future space exploration and is being developed to handle waste management, stowage, and water reclamation for long-duration missions, including crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. The TCPS could effectively reduce the volume of trash generated by astronauts and recover nearly all water entrained in the trash for further use.
Current primary waste systems in space cannot reclaim water or effectively reduce the volume of trash in a manner necessary for long-term space travel. The TCPS is being developed to recover nearly all the water from the trash for additional use. This capability may be vital not only for deep space exploration but also for commercial orbital facilities or extraterrestrial bases. As a stand-alone system, TCPS only requires access to power, data, and air-cooling interfaces and it provides a simple user interface to facilitate crew interactions.
…
The TCPS includes an innovative Catalytic Oxidizer (CatOx) that processes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gaseous byproducts to maintain a safe and sterile environment in space habitats. Catalytic oxidation is a more energy-efficient and safer alternative to traditional VOC removal methods. This same CatOx technology is also employed in Sierra Space’s Environmental Controls and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). The TCPS technology compacts astronaut trash into solid square tiles that are easy to store, safe to handle, and capable of providing additional radiation protection. The system is designed to recover nearly all water from the trash for recycling, and the CatOx removes any noxious or harmful contaminants for crew safety.
Every detail of the Haven-1 interior has been implemented with an eye for detail, creating a visual hierarchy that allows the astronauts to focus on the task at hand, monitor the station’s systems, and enjoy their experience onboard. After docking with a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Haven-1 crew members open the Haven-1 exterior hatch and are greeted by a sleek, functional layout upon entry. A real-time display shows the station status with temperature and lighting controls, and optimized cargo compartments ensure essential supplies are stored efficiently. Notably, Haven-1’s interior surfaces are soft and padded to provide an added safety component for crew and visitors as they float throughout.
Above and below the corridor, the station’s four private crew quarters offer astronauts a space to rest and recharge. Slightly larger than the crew quarters aboard the ISS, these expanded personal rooms are uniquely designed to allow for changing, entertainment, online communication with loved ones back on Earth (enabled by SpaceX Starlink connectivity), and, most importantly, a good night’s rest. Experience has shown that sleeping in space can be a restless endeavor. Maximizing sleep efficiency and comfort remains critical to the overall experience aboard the Vast station. Historically, zero gravity sleep has been uncomfortable for astronauts due to a lack of standardized and consistent restraint systems during weightless sleep and a deficit in the distributed gravity forces humans are accustomed to on Earth. Vast’s patent-pending signature sleep system is roughly the size of a queen bed, provides a customized amount of equal pressure throughout the night, and accommodates side and back sleepers alike.
Additionally, each room features a built-in storage compartment, vanity, and a custom amenities kit
See video below for imagery of the Haven-1 station. A second video gives a Haven-1 construction update.
During the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Vast, the US-based space habitation technology company, unveiled Haven-2 — the proposed successor to the International Space Station (ISS) and the next step in the company’s vision to pioneer a path to long-term living and thriving in space.
With the planned retirement of the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030, NASA conceived the Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) program and is expected to select its Phase 2 winner(s) in mid-2026. Laser-focused on securing this prestigious contract to build the successor to the ISS, Vast has developed Haven-2, designed to offer the most compelling solution to ensure continued U.S. and international partner presence in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
“Our focus this decade is to win the NASA Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) contract and build the successor to the International Space Station,” said Max Haot, Vast CEO. “To achieve this, we will first demonstrate our capability by building and operating the world’s first commercial space station, Haven-1, which is set to launch in 2025.”
…
If selected in 2026, Vast plans to have the first module of Haven-2, an evolved and NASA-certified version of Haven-1, fully operational in orbit by 2028. This near-term timeline is made possible by leveraging Vast’s significant private investment in the design, build, launch, and operation of Haven-1. The first Haven-2 Module will be 5m longer than Haven-1, offering nearly twice the livable volume of its predecessor while utilizing all the same proven systems.
See the video below for imagery of the Haven-2 design.
— Vast Unveils Final Design for Haven-1, the World’s First Commercial Space Station – VAST Youtube
We’re excited to introduce the final design for Haven-1, a groundbreaking space station that sets a new standard for human-centric design, comfort, and productivity in space.
Haven-1 merges cutting-edge microgravity lab advancements with a focus on astronaut well-being and features:
1.1m Observation Window Dome for stunning views of Earth Patent-Pending Sleep System designed for optimal rest in zero gravity Onboard Fitness System to improve cardiovascular and bone health Warm, welcoming Interiors with natural materials, including maple wood veneer
Guided by visionary designer Peter Russell-Clarke and supported by veteran NASA astronaut Andrew Feustel, Haven-1 offers an unparalleled experience in space, balancing innovation with comfort.
Chief Design and Marketing Officer Hillary Coe emphasized the importance of human-first design, stating, “We have big ambitions to create a future where everyone is living and thriving on Earth and in space. This requires a shift in how we approach design for all backgrounds and comfort levels.”
We are excited to continue to push the boundaries of human spaceflight and pioneer the path to long-term living and thriving in space.
Less renders, more hardware. Yesterday, we revealed the final design of Haven-1. Today, we’re sharing our latest progress update as we build the team, facilities, and hardware for the launch of the world’s first commercial space station in the second half of next year. Every step brings us closer to redefining space exploration. Stay tuned for more milestones as we make history.
— Vast Unveils Haven-2: Our Proposed Successor to the International Space Station (ISS) – VAST Youtube
Today at IAC 2024, Vast introduced Haven-2, our proposed successor to the International Space Station (ISS). The first module will be fully operational by 2028, ensuring an overlap of operational space stations before the ISS retires in 2030. This near-term timeline is made possible by leveraging Vast’s significant private investment in the design, build, launch, and operation of Haven-1. When completed in 2032, Haven-2 is designed to surpass the ISS in volume, research facilities, and cost efficiency.
–— Starlab releases video showing interior design of the station module:
Now YOU can fly through #Starlab. If you’re at #IAC2024, you can experience Starlab’s spacious crew deck in extraordinary virtual reality. Come float inside the space station that will enable continuous, permanent human presence in #LEO . Grab a headset @ the @AirbusSpace booth… pic.twitter.com/sZ0c5w1IFF
We recently completed a full-scale mockup of one level of the Starlab Space Station and are conducting usability testing to improve Starlab’s operational efficiencies and overall crew experience.
A critical component involves placing humans in the simulated space station,… pic.twitter.com/E0cYrXVqof
** Shenzhou-18 Crew Gears Up for Entry of Shenzhou-19 Members into Tiangong – CCTV Video News Agency
The Shenzhou-18 mission crew has carried out their work in an orderly manner this week in preparation for the handover with the Shenzhou-19 members at China’s Tiangong space station later this month.
The Shenzhou-18 mission crew has carried out their work in an orderly manner this week in preparation for the handover with the Shenzhou-19 members at China’s Tiangong space station later this month.
=== Space settlement
** Robert Zubrin, The New World on Mars: What We Can Create on the Red Planet, an NSS Space Forum – National Space Society
National Space Society Space Forum, Aug 29, 2024, The New World on Mars: What We Can Create on the Red Planet with
Dr. Robert Zubrin President, The Mars Society Astronautical Engineer and Author Founder, Pioneer Astronautics
View this National Space Society (NSS) Space Forum for an opportunity to dive into a bold, new vision for humanity on Mars. Hear from Dr. Robert Zubrin, one of the most influential voices in space settlement, as he presents insights from his new book, “The New World on Mars: What We Can Create on the Red Planet.” Dr. Zubrin, who revolutionized our thinking about Mars with his classic “The Case for Mars,” is back with a detailed and actionable plan for establishing a sustainable human presence on the Red Planet.
In this forum, Dr. Zubrin lays out the technological breakthroughs, economic strategies, and political commitments required to turn the dream of Mars settlement into reality. Dr. Zubrin provides a compelling case for why Mars should be humanity’s next great adventure. From the first steps of reaching Mars to harnessing its resources and building thriving cities, he explores the full scope of what it takes to create a new world. You’ll also learn about the incredible scientific discoveries and cultural innovations that could emerge from a Mars settlement—ushering in a new era of human civilization.
Dr. Zubrin, in making the case, draws on his deep expertise and passion for space exploration as he offers this positive view for the long-term survival of humanity; suggesting a new frontier that could inspire innovation, drive economic growth, and safeguard the human race from potential global catastrophes.
Enjoy this exciting and informative space forum that offers an inspiring and thought-provoking vision of expanding our human boundaries and settling Mars. …
Rick Tumlinson returned to discuss the upcoming New Worlds Conference in Houston over Nov. 1-2. Rick provided us with a 20% discount code to use if you buy online tickets and register for the event: RickSave20. In addition to our conference discussion, we talked [about] the need for a space vision and lots of outreach. He linked this to both the conference and his [Earthlight] Foundation
We welcomed guest Matt Gialich of AstroForge to the program to discuss their space mining plans, their operations and challenges so far plus their short to medium term plans for asteroid mining for PGM and applicable asteroids. We talked technology, economics, regulations and more.
Dr. Cannon returned as our guest to talk about his new association with Ethos Space, their plans for lunar launch and landing pads, infrastructure and down the for a sun shield space umbrella to protect Earth from warming. Also discussed was living on the Moon, Mars, lunar and space mining and resource usage and building large structures in space for in-living living/settlement.
=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:
** Highlight: Boise ID – Wildfire Smoke – Oct 7, 2024 11:42 MDT – ISS Above
** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA
Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.
The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8
Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov
