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.The decision marks Vast's first mission to the International Space Station. Before beginning training, the business will nominate four crew recruits for approval by NASA and its international partners. Once cleared, the crew will train with agency workers and SpaceX teams. It is a formal entry into a program that has gradually expanded access to low Earth orbit for private organisations.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.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.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.