Axiom Space vs Vast: Stations & habitats (orbital) compared

November 2026 edition · assessment by Frontier Tech Intelligence

Vast ranks 51 on the Space 100 with a score of 74; Axiom Space ranks 64 with 70. Axiom Space is ahead on commercials, positioning and leverage. Vast is ahead on production, technology and firepower. Level on deployment and progress. Axiom Space is based in Houston, United States, Vast in Long Beach, United States. Axiom Space: Established. Vast: Private, founded 2021. Axiom Space is named in 49 signals and Vast in 76.

Axiom Space →

Houston, Texas, United States · Space · Infrastructure / Stations & habitats (orbital) · Established · axiomspace.com

Axiom Space is developing and operating infrastructure for the post-ISS ecosystem, including commercial space-station modules and a planned free-flying commercial station.

Space 100 · rank 64 · score 70

Scores, Space (of 10)

Deployment8
Production4
Commercials6
Progress9
Technology6
Positioning8
Firepower8
Leverage6

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Axiom Space is the flown-revenue leader of the commercial space-station race, having executed four private astronaut missions to the ISS and developing the AxEMU spacesuit under NASA task orders, with a two-module Axiom Station targeted for 2028 via ISS-attach assembly. NASA's March 2026 "Ignition" reshape of Commercial LEO Destinations repriced the model, with Phase 2 awards to at least two providers expected in 2026, possibly as modules on a government-anchored hub, a frame its ISS-attach approach may fit best. Financials, the CLD Phase 2 outcome, and the station schedule are open.

Latest signals

  • ESA and Axiom Space sign MoU for post-ISS space ecosystemElectronics Weekly
  • Axiom Space and ESA agreed to collaborate on future astronaut missions.Payload
  • The Exploration Company has won more than $2 billion in contracts.Payload

49 signals name Axiom Space.

Facts, with sources

  • Spacesuit test for Artemis lunar missions in spaceSpaceNews
  • MoU with ESA for the post-ISS space ecosystemwww.electronicsweekly.com — 2026-09-15
  • Collaboration with ESA on future astronaut missionsPayload

46 facts on file.

Vast →

Long Beach, California, United States · Space · Infrastructure / Stations & habitats (orbital) · Private · founded 2021 · www.vastspace.com

Vast is developing and operating commercial orbital space stations, including Haven-1 and the planned Haven-2, with facilities for astronaut missions, biotech experiments, and plant-growth research.

Space 100 · rank 51 · score 74

Scores, Space (of 10)

Deployment8
Production6
Commercials5
Progress9
Technology8
Positioning6
Firepower10
Leverage4

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Vast is a US commercial-space-station company (founder Jed McCaleb self-funding at multi-hundred-million scale) whose Haven Demo pathfinder succeeded in orbit (November 2025, power-positive) and whose Haven-1 flight structure is complete, with ~800 staff and near-everything in-house. It is the speed play of the station race (concept to orbital pathfinder in about 30 months), still positioned to be the first standalone commercial station, though its launch slipped to no earlier than Q1-2027. Haven-1 will host four crew over a three-year life, with the NASA CLD Phase 2 2026 decision as its existential catalyst. It is pre-revenue.

Latest signals

  • VAST open-sourced EdenLive, a real-time model for rendering detailed game footage.Pandaily
  • Family offices are seeking late-stage exposure to deals involving Zipline, Vast, and Atoms.All-In Podcast
  • Vast establishes Lunar Programs division to support NASA lunar initiativesVia Satellite

76 signals name Vast.

Facts, with sources

  • Haven-1 station launch planned for early 2027SpaceNews
  • Haven-1 station launchSpaceNews
  • Haven-1 station set to launch in early 2027SpaceNews

85 facts on file.

More comparisons

Questions this page answers

Axiom Space or Vast: which is ahead in space?

Vast ranks 51 on the Space 100 with a score of 74; Axiom Space ranks 64 with 70. Axiom Space is ahead on commercials, positioning and leverage. Vast is ahead on production, technology and firepower. Level on deployment and progress. Axiom Space is based in Houston, United States, Vast in Long Beach, United States. Axiom Space: Established. Vast: Private, founded 2021. Axiom Space is named in 49 signals and Vast in 76.

How do Axiom Space and Vast compare?

Vast ranks 51 on the Space 100 with a score of 74; Axiom Space ranks 64 with 70. Axiom Space is ahead on commercials, positioning and leverage. Vast is ahead on production, technology and firepower. Level on deployment and progress. Axiom Space is based in Houston, United States, Vast in Long Beach, United States. Axiom Space: Established. Vast: Private, founded 2021. Axiom Space is named in 49 signals and Vast in 76. Both company files carry the scores on eight measures, the facts with sources and the latest signals.

Every comparison here comes from the same files members use every day.

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