SpaceX announces partnership to organize private missions to the ISS

SpaceX announced a partnership with Californian start-up Vast to organize private missions to the International Space Station (ISS). These expeditions, which still require NASA approval, mark a key milestone for Vast, which also aims to launch the first commercial space station next year.

Max Haot, CEO of Vast, stressed that these missions will strengthen collaboration with NASA and other international space agencies, although no precise timetable has been communicated. Gwynne Shotwell, deputy chief executive officer of SpaceX, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, saying it expands opportunities for space travel.

SpaceX, already experienced in private missions through its collaboration with Axiom Space and billionaire Jared Isaacman on the Polaris program, continues to play a central role in the development of commercial spaceflight. This program notably enabled the first extravehicular exit carried out by amateur astronauts.

Vast also revealed that it is in discussions with several governments, such as that of the Czech Republic, to organize future missions. While the ISS is intended to be decommissioned in 2030, Vast and other companies, including Axiom Space, Blue Origin and Voyager Space, are competing to build private space stations.

Founded in 2021, Vast plans to launch Haven-1, a compact space station, in 2025, followed by Haven-2, designed to replace the ISS. The company’s long-term goal is to develop artificial gravity habitats to enable sustainable human life in space.