Each new partner brings a unique focus to the platform. JAMSS will support multipurpose experimentation in microgravity, Interstellar Lab will investigate plant growth dynamics in space, and Exobiosphere will test high-throughput screening systems to accelerate pharmaceutical development.
This trio complements existing Haven-1 collaborators Yuri and Redwire, strengthening Vast's broader mission to foster scientific and industrial advances in low-Earth orbit. "We are honored to welcome our new partners to the Haven-1 Lab-an essential step toward building a thriving ecosystem for science, innovation, and collaboration in space," said Max Haot, CEO of Vast. "With Haven-1, we aim to redefine what's possible in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals-accelerating discovery, enhancing safety, and unlocking new frontiers for life on Earth and beyond."
JAMSS, established in 1990 and known for its work managing the Kibo module on the International Space Station, will contribute a versatile payload platform to Haven-1. The system will support multiple small payloads, including devices for colloidal photonic crystallization-an approach used to fabricate advanced optical materials-as well as experimental hardware for commercial items.
"Partnering with Vast, the pioneer behind the world's first commercial space station, is about more than just expanding the number of LEO applications. This collaboration can help elevate awareness of the commercial LEO market across Japan and Asia, and we are deeply committed to supporting this initiative," said Teru Aruga, President of JAMSS.
Interstellar Lab, operating from the US and France, is contributing Eden 1.0, an autonomous greenhouse designed for orbital life science research. Built with technology derived from its award-winning NuCLEUS food production system, Eden 1.0 offers full environmental control, sensor arrays, and imaging capabilities. The data collected in orbit will be compared with Earth-based trials to assess how microgravity impacts plant physiology, nutrient uptake, and genetic adaptation.
"We are excited to take our technology into space in partnership with Vast," said Barbara Belvisi, CEO and Founder of Interstellar Lab. "With Eden 1.0 in the Haven-1 Lab, we can provide new plant growth capabilities in space to conduct research and measure how biological life responds to low gravity environments. It's a crucial step towards our larger vision of providing advanced bioregenerative life support systems for future habitats on the Moon and Mars."
Exobiosphere, a Luxembourg-founded startup established in 2024, is deploying its Orbital High Throughput Drug Screening Device (OHTS) to probe how cells behave under microgravity. The goal is to identify phenomena not observable on Earth, which could inform drug development and preclinical trials. Findings from OHTS are expected to benefit pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare organizations pursuing novel treatments.
"Vast's Haven-1 Lab offers state-of-the-art in-space research and science facilities for our high-throughput screening platforms. Partnering with Vast propels our vision to revolutionize drug discovery," said Kyle Acierno, CEO of Exobiosphere. "Microgravity gives us a powerful new vantage point to explore disease at the cellular level. By integrating our high-throughput platforms with Haven-1's advanced facilities, we aim to dramatically speed up breakthrough therapies and reshape how we approach healthcare on Earth and beyond."
Vast's announcement highlights the growing interest in commercial low-Earth orbit research platforms. Haven-1, scheduled to become the first private space station, is a key part of the company's roadmap toward extended human habitation in space. Work is already underway on Haven-2, a larger follow-up station intended to support NASA's Commercial LEO Destinations initiative and serve as a microgravity laboratory beyond the ISS era.
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