California-based aerospace company Vast has revealed the remarkable interior design of Haven-1, which is set to become the world’s first commercial space station. In a newly released video, the company showcased a habitat that looks more like a luxury hotel than a typical orbital laboratory. The design, both sleek and inviting, promises a new level of comfort for future space travelers.

Today, Vast unveiled the final design for Haven-1, the world’s first commercial space station, setting a new standard. Guided by visionary designer Peter Russell-Clarke and astronaut Andrew Feustel, we’re pushing the boundaries of life in space with human-first design led by… pic.twitter.com/xDdMzNFnuF
— VAST (@vast) October 10, 2024

Haven-1 features modern wood veneer accents, padded white walls, and amenities similar to those found in top-tier hotels. The station also offers visitors a fully equipped gym to help them stay active, even in zero gravity. Additionally, private rooms are outfitted with the latest entertainment and communication technologies, ensuring that astronauts can easily stay in touch with family and friends on Earth.

“Set to launch on SpaceX’s Falcon rocket in 2025, Haven-1’s first paying customers will board in 2026,” Vast said in a press release.

ALSO SEE: What Will Earth Look Like From Private Space Station? Axiom Space’s Astronaut Reveals

Accommodating up to four astronauts, Haven-1 provides a level of comfort far surpassing that of the International Space Station (ISS). Each astronaut will have a cosy private room, complete with storage, a vanity, and a specially engineered queen-sized bed to enhance sleep quality in space.

Veteran NASA astronaut Andrew Feustel, who has accumulated over 225 days in space, played a key advisory role in shaping the design and layout of Haven-1. His extensive experience contributed to ensuring that the space station would not only be functional but also comfortable for its inhabitants.

“From communication and connectivity, to private space and interacting with others aboard, to advancing human progress on Earth and beyond, every detail has been designed with the astronaut experience at the core of our work,” he said.

ALSO SEE: Astronaut Floats In Space As Tiangong Space Station Cruises Above Blue Earth; Watch

(Image: Vast)

Some hurricanes rapidly intensify. Hurricane Milton has “explosively” intensified.

The National Hurricane Service, after observing the Category 5 cyclone continually strengthen, reported Monday that Florida-bound “Milton Explosively Intensifies With 175-Mph Winds.” This means Milton “is unfortunately hitting the top-end of possible intensification rates,” meteorologist Levi Cowan posted online. The hurricane jumped from a Category 1 to 5 in under a day.

Tropical storms, particularly the most powerful hurricanes, can exploit favorable environment conditions to rapidly intensify. This means increasing wind speed by some 35 mph, or 30 knots, in 24 hours. Milton has gone well beyond that.

“There is such a thing as ‘extreme rapid intensification’ and #Milton has done it,” Kathryn Prociv, a meteorologist with NBC news, explained online. “Extreme RI defined as a 58mph+ increase in 24 hours. Milton has gone 90mph.”

The footage below, captured by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather satellites, demonstrates Milton’s robust windup and growth. The storm is projected to make landfall on the west coast of the Florida peninsula on Wednesday, and is tracking toward the well-populated Tampa Bay region. It’s serious.

“If the storm stays on the current track, it will be the worst storm to impact the Tampa area in over 100 years,” the National Weather Service said.

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“Extreme RI defined as a 58mph+ increase in 24 hours. Milton has gone 90mph.”

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The storm is now rapidly spinning through the Gulf of Mexico, with extreme winds circulating around its well-defined eye:

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Though a number of factors influence the formation of strong hurricanes (opposing winds that can break apart storms, moist or dry air, etc.), a vital influence is warm sea surface temperatures of over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Warm oceans act as jet fuel for hurricanes, storm scientists explain. That’s because warmer oceans fuel tropical storms as more water naturally evaporates into the air, giving storms energy and moisture to intensify. Crucially, the oceans, which absorb most of the heat created by burning fossil fuels, are relentlessly warming.

Today, Atlantic hurricanes are already twice as likely to develop from a milder storm into a major hurricane.

The Atlantic Ocean is simultaneously hosting three active hurricanes in October, a phenomenon that has never occurred before in recorded history. Hurricanes Milton, Kirk, and Leslie are currently swirling in the Atlantic, marking a rare and potentially hazardous situation for people living near the coastal regions.

Hurricane History has been written today in the Atlantic Basin. For the first time on record, THREE Hurricanes—#Kirk, #Leslie, and #Milton—are spinning simultaneously in the month of October. From the warm confines of the Western Gulf, to the endless horizons of the northern… pic.twitter.com/rp21wCbORY
— Backpirch Weather (@BackpirchCrew) October 7, 2024

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has confirmed the exceptional event, noting the unusual intensity and frequency of storms so late in the season. Typically, hurricane activity in the Atlantic declines as autumn progresses, but this year has defied traditional patterns.

The Hurricane season in the Atlantic basin, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, began on June 1 and will continue till November 30.

10:55 CDT Monday Update: Milton rapidly intensifies into a category 5 hurricane. Data from a @53rdWRS hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to 160 mph (250 km/h) with higher gusts. Follow the latest at https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/mOxuvGdtu5
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 7, 2024

The most powerful of the three is Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico. It intensified into a Category 5 storm on the night of October 7 and brought winds with speeds up to 290 kilometers per hour. The NHC has warned of ‘devastating hurricane-force winds’ in Florida’s west coast.

It also said that ‘life-threatening’ winds are expected to spread across entire Florida peninsula and has advised residents to evacuate the areas if needed.

ALSO SEE: NASA Shares Frightening Video Of Hurricane Helene Shot From Space Station

When #Kirk reaches Europe it will no longer be a hurricane, but the storm could still bring strong winds to parts of Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, and the UK next week.

This map shows the latest ICON wind gusts forecast plus the latest forecast path from the NHC: pic.twitter.com/G5fuAVBtfZ
— Zoom Earth (@zoom_earth) October 5, 2024

The second one – Hurricane Leslie, formed near the Bahamas and is raising concerns for residents in Florida and the southeastern U.S. Forecasters have warned that Leslie could gain strength and possibly make landfall later in the week, prompting officials to issue early warnings for preparedness.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Kirk, a Category 2 storm, is currently churning in the eastern Atlantic west of Europe. Experts have predicted that the Kirk will no longer will be a hurricane when it reaches Europe but it could bring strong winds and rain to parts of Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and the UK in a few days.

ALSO SEE: NASA Postpones October 10 Launch Of Europa Clipper Mission Due To Hurricane Milton

(Image: NOAA)