International Space Station, March 2009. Backlit view of the ISS with solar array. Artist . (Photo by Heritage Space\/Heritage Images via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Heritage Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Vast, a startup trying to build the world\u2019s first commercial space station, is in talks to raise a $300 million funding round valuing the company at $2 billion, a person familiar with the matter told Forbes. Balerion Space Ventures will lead the round, the person said, noting talks are ongoing and the numbers could change.<\/p>\n
Thus far, the Long Beach-headquartered company of about 1,000 employees has primarily been self-funded by Jed McCaleb<\/a>, who made billions as the founder of cryptocurrency companies Ripple and Stellar. He has said he is willing to spend up to $1 billion<\/a> of his own fortune. In October, Vast said<\/a> that In-Q-Tel, the venture capital arm of the Central Intelligence Agency, had invested an undisclosed amount and become a board observer.<\/p>\n Vast declined to comment. Balerion Space Ventures didn\u2019t immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n Vast plans to launch its first prototype space station, Haven-1<\/a>, in 2026. Vast will start sending parts of its next station, Haven-2<\/a>, by 2028, which is designed to replace Nasa\u2019s International Space Station. Nasa has said it plans to close<\/a> the ISS in 2031, after which it will rely on contracts with private companies.<\/p>\n