Vast Signs 2 French Astronauts for 2027 ISS and Haven-1 Flights
Updated
Updated · SpaceNews · Jun 2
Vast Signs 2 French Astronauts for 2027 ISS and Haven-1 Flights
3 articles · Updated · SpaceNews · Jun 2
Two French astronauts will fly with Vast in 2027—Thomas Pesquet on the company’s first private ISS mission and Arnaud Prost on Haven-1’s debut flight, with each mission planned to last about two weeks.
SpaceX Crew Dragon will carry both crews, and Pesquet can command the ISS mission because NASA’s 2025 rule changes opened private-mission commander roles to experienced astronauts from Europe, Canada and Japan.
Vast has not named the other crew members, saying they will include professional astronauts from countries with diplomatic ties to France; the ISS crew still needs approval from the station partners’ multilateral board.
France and Vast said the missions will support science, technology demonstrations and outreach with French companies and universities, while Vast also plans to open its European headquarters in Paris.
The agreement underscores how "sovereign astronaut" seats are becoming central to commercial-station economics as companies such as Vast and Axiom court governments seeking national missions beyond the ISS.
Is France's deal with Vast a leap for European space autonomy or a sign of growing US dependency?
As NASA's funding strategy shifts, can private space stations win the commercial race before the ISS is deorbited?
Will the world's first commercial space station truly launch in 2027, or is this another ambitious space industry promise?
Vast Space Picks Paris for European HQ, Signs Deal for Two French Astronaut Missions to ISS and Haven-1
Overview
On June 2, 2026, Vast Space announced its strategic expansion into Europe by establishing a European headquarters in Paris and signing a landmark agreement with the French government for two astronaut missions. This announcement, made at the Choose France Summit created by President Emmanuel Macron, highlights France’s growing role in the commercial space sector. The agreement includes one mission to the International Space Station and another to Vast’s Haven-1 commercial space station, strengthening Vast Space’s presence in Europe and marking a significant step for France in advancing its space ambitions through private sector collaboration.