New Deal Reached For NASA Private Astronaut Missions

SpaceX and Vast have announced an agreement to launch two human spaceflight missions to the International Space Station (ISS) in support of Vast’s future bid for NASA’s private astronaut missions. The missions covered in this agreement are contingent on Vast being selected by NASA.

Vast is building Haven-1, expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when its initial phases launch in 2025. While the company is developing its Haven-1, it also seeks to leverage the ISS missions to gain the agency’s extensive expertise and experience. The private astronaut missions give Vast multiple opportunities to interact and collaborate with individuals and space agency customers to develop and strengthen partnerships.

These partnerships are important considerations as Vast is preparing to compete in NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination (CLD) Phase II program which is tasked with selecting the successor to the ISS. The ISS is scheduled for decommissioning sometime around 2030 and NASA is committed to having a successor in place before that is done.

Max Haot, CEO of Vast said, "Enabling payload and crewed missions to the ISS is a key part of Vast’s strategy, allowing us to further our collaboration with NASA and global space agencies. These missions not only strengthen our expertise in human spaceflight operations and collaboration with NASA, but also position Vast as a leading contender to deliver the next-generation successor to the ISS, advancing the future of human space exploration.”

FMI:  www.vastspace.com/