Nikon Corporation announced on March 6, 2026, that it has made an investment in Vast, Inc., a commercial space station company headquartered in Long Beach, California, through its NFocus Fund. As Nikon announces investment in Vast, the move marks a significant step forward in the company’s growing strategy to apply metal additive manufacturing to the space industry.
Nikon Invests in Vast Through NFocus Fund
Vast, Inc. is engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, and operation of commercial space stations, with the goal of providing a next-generation successor to the International Space Station (ISS), which is scheduled for retirement in 2030. The company is developing Haven-1, planned for launch in 2027, with the aim of enabling permanent human presence in space by 2030.
Hamid Zarringhalam, Director, President and CEO of Nikon Ventures Corporation and Nikon Advanced Manufacturing Inc., stated: “Like Nikon, Vast is a technology-driven company, and we definitely see commonalities in our vision as well as exciting synergistic opportunities.” Vast CEO Max Haot added: “Nikon’s legacy in precision imaging, advanced manufacturing, and space science is unmatched, and their long-term commitment to enabling breakthrough capabilities strongly resonates with our mission.”
Nikon Announces Investment in Vast — A Growing Space AM Lineup: JAXA, ArianeGroup, and Rocket Lab
Nikon’s additive manufacturing space strategy extends well beyond this single investment, with Nikon SLM Solutions at its core.
Acquired in 2023, Nikon SLM Solutions is a global leader in metal AM, known for its large and ultra-large format laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) systems. Its machines feature the world’s first multi-laser system with up to 12 lasers operating simultaneously, enabling the production of parts up to 600 x 600 x 1,500mm. This capability — combining complex geometries, significant weight reduction, and high structural integrity — has earned strong recognition across the U.S. aerospace and defense industries, with deployments at major companies including Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, and Safran.
Building on this track record, Nikon’s AM technology was selected for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Space Strategy Fund program. The project aims to reduce launch costs and shorten development timelines by establishing metal 3D printing technologies that combine L-PBF and directed energy deposition (DED) methods for the production of high-precision rocket components. The expertise Nikon SLM Solutions has built in the U.S. aerospace sector is now flowing back into Japan’s space development efforts.
In addition, Nikon SLM Solutions has entered into a strategic partnership with ArianeGroup to advance ultra-large-scale AM for space applications, and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rocket Lab to reserve multiple units of its upcoming ultra-large format metal AM platforms. The investment in Vast further strengthens Nikon’s relationships with key players across the global space industry.
AM Insight Asia Perspective
On February 5, Nikon announced it would record an impairment loss of approximately $577 million on its AM business. However, in terms of AM strategy, Nikon is moving steadily forward. The JAXA selection, the ArianeGroup partnership, the Rocket Lab MoU, and now the investment in Vast — with Nikon SLM Solutions as a world-class weapon in its arsenal, Nikon’s presence in metal additive manufacturing is unquestionably growing. The experience accumulated in the U.S. aerospace industry is now flowing back into Japan’s space development, positioning Nikon as a leader in metal AM on the global stage.
For background on the impairment loss, see: Nikon Records $577 Million Impairment Loss on AM Business — Questions Remain Over Initial Acquisition
