Big Take Another Space-Obsessed Billionaire Has Entered the Chat
Mar 20, 2025
Bloomberg reporters Kiel Porter and Loren Grush dive into the latest buzz surrounding the commercial space industry. They discuss how a former crypto mogul is banking on a billion-dollar project to create the next international space station as NASA plans its decommissioning. The duo shares insights from their visit to Vast's headquarters and highlights the fierce competition and innovative strategies emerging in the race to redefine space exploration. The conversation reveals the shifting dynamics from government-led efforts to private ventures shaping the final frontier.
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NASA's ISS Replacement Strategy
- NASA plans to decommission the International Space Station by 2030 and wants private companies to build its replacement.
- This shift signals NASA's strategy to hand over space station operations to commercial entities.
Founder’s Space Living Vision
- Jed McCaleb, Vast's founder, switched from software startups to space because he believes billions should live beyond Earth.
- He argues space expansion is economically beneficial and essential for human exploration and psyche.
Vast's Sci-Fi Inspired Plans
- Vast aims to build artificial gravity space stations with rotating modules, inspired by sci-fi concepts.
- They acquired the launch company Launcher to strengthen their technical and leadership capabilities.