🚀 NASA has selected California startup Vast to operate the sixth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, with liftoff targeted for summer 2027 3. Coverage describes the mission as part of efforts to "fully unlocking the orbital economy" 32.
Vast says it remains on track to build its own space station. The ISS mission selection is a milestone as the company works toward its longer-term commercial station plans 1.
Sources
- Vast, on track to build its own space station, has signed an order with NASA for a private mission to the ISS in 2027 [reddit.com] (2026-02-16)
- 'Fully unlocking the orbital economy': This California company will fly astronauts to the space station in 2027 - Space [google.com] (2026-02-16)
- 'Fully unlocking the orbital economy': This California company will fly astronauts to the space station in 2027 [space.com] (2026-02-16)
Perspectives
Vast: The award is a credibility boost—and an execution test—for a young company trying to show it can run complex, human-spaceflight operations. That proof could help it draw partners and customers as it pursues longer-term commercial station ambitions.
NASA: Picking a newer commercial operator fits NASA’s broader push to expand the pool of private providers supporting ISS activity, reinforcing its market-building approach to low Earth orbit services.