NASA is planning to bury the International Space Station (ISS) in the depths of the ocean by the year 2030. The space agency is actively searching for a new station to replace the ISS, with one of the top contenders being Haven-1 built by the U.S. space technology company Vast. Expected to be launched in 2025, Haven-1 stands out with its innovative design aimed at enhancing life and work experiences in space.

The first segment of the International Space Station (ISS) was launched approximately 25 years ago. NASA is now planning to bury this aging space station in the depths of the ocean by 2030. The space agency prefers to collaborate with private companies to build and operate a new station, with one notable company being Vast, operating in the field of space technology.

Vast is developing the sleek-looking Haven-1 capsule that is planned to be launched in 2025 with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The company shared a video showcasing the interior and exterior design of the potential space station. Haven-1, designed by the world-renowned designer Peter Russell-Clarke, features an outer appearance similar to other spacecraft but with an interior design that aims to provide astronauts with a sense of home in space.

Moreover, Vast is consulting with a retired NASA astronaut, Andrew J. Feustel, for the design of the capsule. Feustel, who has completed three space missions, stated, “We are learning from these experiences and making innovations to enhance our ways of living and working on a space station. Every detail, from communication and connections to personal spaces, has been designed based on astronaut experiences.”

The station’s minimalist design sets it apart from traditional space laboratories, with a nature-influenced, fire-resistant maple lining inside. Behind simple wall panels, numerous equipment is discreetly stored. A key advantage of Vast’s capsule is its single and relatively compact structure, contrasting with the ISS, which NASA describes as the “largest human-made object in Earth’s orbit,” that required 42 flights to send its main components into orbit.

NASA notes that the ISS is larger than a “six-bedroom house,” equipped with two bathrooms, a gym, and a panoramic balcony. If Vast successfully launches Haven-1, plans for constructing a larger module and sending it into space by 2028 are on the horizon. In the future, Vast aims to build “Artificial Gravity Stations” capable of housing a crew of 8.

NASA’s ambitions also extend to establishing a permanent station on the Moon, extracting water hidden in ice-crater deposits, and creating a fuel depot for missions to Mars or resource-rich asteroids. In the rapidly evolving landscape of space exploration and technology, collaborations between NASA and private companies continue to play a crucial role in shaping humanity’s future in space.