Two French astronauts will launch on separate space missions in 2027, US company Vast announced on Tuesday. Thomas Pesquet is set to travel on a private Vast mission to the International Space Station, while Arnaud Prost will visit the Vast-developed Haven-1 commercial outpost. The announcement marks a significant step for Vast, a startup aiming to establish a permanent private presence in orbit.
The Haven-1 station, which Prost will visit, is scheduled to be deployed next year after years of delays. If launched on time, it would become the world's first commercial space station, opening a new chapter in orbital access beyond government-operated facilities. The missions also underscore France's continued investment in human spaceflight through its partnership with private industry.
Vast did not provide specific dates for the launches beyond the 2027 window, nor did it disclose financial terms of the agreements. The company has not yet flown any crewed missions, making these flights a critical test of its capabilities. The announcement comes amid a broader push by several private firms to build commercial space stations as the ISS approaches the end of its operational life.
The implications extend beyond the astronauts themselves. Success would validate Vast's technology and business model, potentially reshaping how nations and companies access space. However, the tight timeline leaves little room for further delays, and the company faces competition from other ventures like Axiom Space.
Pesquet, a veteran astronaut with two previous ISS missions, will bring extensive experience to the private flight. Prost, a newer astronaut selected in 2022, represents the next generation of French space explorers.