ESA and Vast expand MoU to study post-ISS use of Haven station
ESA signed an expanded memorandum with Vast at IAC 2026 to study European use of Vast's Haven station after the ISS retires.
what happened
ESA and Vast signed an expanded memorandum of understanding on Oct. 5 at IAC 2026 in Sydney, building on a June 2024 MoU, ESA said in its own release. The three-year framework covers a joint feasibility study toward a roadmap and indicative schedule for possible future astronaut missions aboard Vast's Haven station, European hardware or infrastructure contributions, jointly defined research campaigns and science accommodations, and use of future qualified European LEO cargo and crew transportation services at commercial rates. ESA said the agreement does not commit it to purchasing services or guarantee future European missions; Vast's Haven-1 station remains under development. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said Europe is 'assessing a range of options for maintaining our presence in Low Earth Orbit,' and Vast CEO Max Haot said Vast is 'designing Haven Station to ensure ESA, its astronauts, and its scientists have continued access to low-Earth orbit.'
why it matters
Europe has no flight-proven path to replace ISS access of its own, so this kind of non-binding study is how ESA keeps multiple commercial-station options (Vast, Axiom, Starlab) alive while it waits on its own launcher and station programs; for Vast, an ESA relationship is a credibility marker with European industry even though no money or seat has changed hands.