otherScore 55/100Watch
VAST recruited ~35% of engineering team from SpaceX, specifically Dragon program veterans; plans to attract additional SpaceX alumni as post-SpaceX-IPO liquidity events occur
Max Haot· Launcher / Vast· Space· 2026-05-20· about VAST
“I'm the odd one that has not had the tour of duty at SpaceX, but everybody basically, you know, engineering leadership and most of our employees, or at least I think 35% have worked at some point there... A lot of our team. You know, I'm the odd one that has not had the tour of duty at SpaceX, but everybody basically, you know, engineering leadership and most of our employees, or at least I think 35% have worked at some point there.”
Why it matters
VAST is heavily dependent on SpaceX alumni talent, particularly those with Dragon (human spaceflight) experience. As SpaceX IPO approaches, retention risks increase if employee equity becomes highly liquid, creating a talent exodus risk for VAST.
Investment implication
VAST faces talent retention risk post-SpaceX IPO when early SpaceX employees may cash out and have less incentive to work. VAST must compete on mission alignment and equity upside. Other commercial space companies face similar talent competition.