NASA opens the door for Vast’s first private mission to the International Space Station NASA has selected Vast for the sixth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, with a launch targeted no earlier than summer 2027 from Florida. The agreement allows the company to send a crew of four to the orbiting laboratory for a stay of up to 14 days. Vast will purchase mission services from NASA, including life support consumables, cargo delivery and storage, while NASA will secure the return of selected scientific samples. The mission will fly on a SpaceX vehicle under a separate contract arranged by Vast. Final timing will depend on traffic at the station and wider operational planning. The selection follows proposals submitted under NASA’s March 2025 research announcement focused on expanding commercial activity in low Earth orbit.
Private company Vast cleared by NASA for 2027 mission to the International Space Station
The decision marks Vast’s first mission to the International Space Station. The company will propose four crew members for review by NASA and its international partners before training begins. Once approved, the crew will train alongside agency staff and SpaceX teams. It is a formal entry into a programme that has slowly widened access to low Earth orbit for private groups.During the planned two-week stay, the crew is expected to conduct research and commercial projects in microgravity. Private astronaut missions are designed to test new technologies, gather data and support industrial activity that might not otherwise reach orbit. The station continues to serve as a platform for experiments that require stable conditions and extended time in space.
SpaceX to provide launch and return services
Vast has contracted SpaceX to transport the crew to and from the station. The spacecraft will launch from Florida, with docking and return schedules coordinated around other visiting vehicles. NASA will provide in-orbit services and will arrange for certain scientific samples to be brought back to Earth under controlled conditions.
Commercial missions shape future low Earth orbit plans
NASA has said private astronaut missions form part of a broader strategy to develop a commercial space economy. As the International Space Station approaches the later phase of its operational life, the agency is encouraging companies to gain experience in crewed missions and station management. The aim is to ease a transition towards commercially operated stations while continuing research and preparation for longer missions beyond low Earth orbit.