NASA Selects Vast for Sixth Private Mission to the International Space Station

NASA has finalized an agreement with Vast for the company’s first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is slated for launch no earlier than the summer of 2027 from Florida. This selection represents a significant step in NASA’s strategy to cultivate a commercial space economy and expand private industry’s role in low Earth orbit.

The mission aims to provide Vast with up to a 14-day stay aboard the orbiting laboratory. A definitive launch date will be determined based on the complex scheduling of spacecraft traffic at the ISS and other operational considerations. This initiative signifies NASA’s continued commitment to fostering innovation and accessibility in space, allowing new companies and ideas to contribute to American leadership in low Earth orbit. The agency anticipates that such collaborations will accelerate research and technology development, paving the way for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

Vast will be responsible for proposing four crew members for review by NASA and its international partners. Upon approval, these individuals will undergo comprehensive training with NASA, international collaborators, and SpaceX, which has been contracted to provide transportation to and from the space station. Vast will acquire necessary mission services from NASA, including consumables, cargo delivery, and in-orbit resources for daily operations. In turn, NASA will procure the capability to return sensitive scientific samples that require cold storage during transit back to Earth.

The selection of Vast was made from proposals submitted in response to a NASA Research Announcement issued in March 2025. Private astronaut missions, like all activities aboard the ISS, are crucial for advancing scientific knowledge and testing new technologies within the unique microgravity environment. These commercial endeavors are instrumental in developing the capabilities and technologies required for NASA’s long-term exploration objectives, including the Artemis campaign, which targets deep space exploration.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from NASA

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