ESA and Vast Partner for Greece’s First Astronaut Mission to ISS
Event summary
- ESA and Vast have signed an agreement for Greece’s first astronaut mission to the ISS, part of the sixth private astronaut mission in partnership with NASA.
- Dr. Adrianos Golemis, a former ESA flight surgeon, will serve as Mission Specialist, pending MCOP approval.
- The mission is planned for 2027, with transportation provided by SpaceX on a Dragon spacecraft launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
- Golemis will join ESA Astronaut Thomas Pesquet of France and ESA Project Astronaut Aleš Svoboda of the Czech Republic for the mission.
- Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure, with over 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital.
The big picture
This agreement marks a significant milestone in the commercialization of space, highlighting the growing role of private companies like Vast in enabling international space missions. The mission also underscores the strategic importance of international partnerships in advancing space exploration and technology. With over a billion dollars in private capital and a focus on developing next-generation space stations, Vast is positioning itself as a key player in the expanding space economy.
What we're watching
- Mission Approval
- Whether the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP) will approve Dr. Adrianos Golemis for the mission, given the consensus required among all five space station partners.
- Commercial Space Growth
- The pace at which Vast can expand its commercial space infrastructure, following the success of Haven Demo and the planned launch of Haven-1 in 2027.
- International Collaboration
- How this partnership between ESA, Vast, and NASA will influence future collaborations in the commercial space sector, particularly for countries with emerging space programs.