Engineers at the U.S. firm Vast are developing rotating space stations that simulate Earth-like gravity to support long-term human spaceflight. By spinning, these stations create centrifugal force that pushes astronauts toward the outer walls, mimicking gravity. This could counteract the harmful effects of zero gravity, such as bone and muscle loss, heart issues, and vision problems, which currently limit how long humans can stay in space.

The project aims to launch Haven-1, the first habitat module, followed by a full space station by 2030. After that, Vast plans to build an artificial gravity station, a challenge expected to take at least a decade. The concept draws inspiration from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey and could enable deeper missions into the solar system, including to Mars.

Other efforts, like Russian firm Energia’s proposal for a station rotating five times per minute to generate half Earth’s gravity, show growing global interest. Vast founder Jed McCaleb frames the effort as both a frontier challenge and a source of valuable health science for life on Earth.