Commercial space station developer Vast has signed an agreement with the French government to fly two French astronauts on upcoming missions, including the inaugural flight of its Haven-1 space station. The deal positions France at the forefront of European participation in private orbital habitats.
The first flight will carry a French astronaut to Haven-1, Vast's planned commercial station. Technical details, including launch vehicle and timeline, remain undisclosed, but the agreement underscores growing government interest in leveraging private platforms for crewed missions.
No timeline or specific dates for the flights have been announced. France's space agency, CNES, has not yet disclosed which astronauts will participate or the training requirements.
This partnership highlights a shift toward public-private collaboration in space, with nations seeking alternatives to the International Space Station. For Vast, the deal adds credibility and funding as it competes with Axiom Space and others in the commercial station race.
Some critics argue that relying on unproven private stations carries risks, including safety certification delays or financial instability. The absence of concrete mission milestones raises questions about the realism of the timeline.