Thomas Pesquet to command mission to ISS and new commercial space station

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet has been selected to command a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and Haven-1, a commercial space station developed by U.S. startup Vast Space. This significant appointment underscores a new era of international and commercial collaboration in space exploration.

Vast Space, founded by bitcoin billionaire Jed McCaleb, has chosen France and its National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) as its preferred partners. This unprecedented alliance, announced by President Emmanuel Macron, positions France at the forefront of commercial space station development. The partnership leverages France's human, technical, and scientific expertise within the space industry.

The mission, slated for mid-2027, will see Pesquet and fellow French astronaut Arnaud Prost travel aboard SpaceX capsules. They will visit both the ISS and Haven-1, which is set to become the first commercial space station to orbit Earth. Additionally, the astronauts will test Haven-1 next year, further solidifying France's role in pioneering private space ventures.

This collaboration signifies a major step for the "New Space" sector, where private companies are increasingly driving innovation. France's involvement with Vast Space highlights its commitment to advancing space technology and its ambition to play a leading role in the future of commercial space travel.