SpaceX joins forces with startup firm Vast to launch more private missions to ISS

This handout image released by NASA on September 19, 2024 shows the International Space Station's US segment and portions of the Russian segment pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly-around of the orbiting lab that took place following its undocking from the Harmony module’s space-facing port on Nov. 8, 2021.  © NASA / AFP

The missions are contingent on approval by NASA and involve the firm Vast, which also aims to launch the world's first commercial space station as early as next year.

"Enabling payload and crewed missions to the ISS is a key part of Vast's strategy, allowing us to further our collaboration with NASA and global space agencies," Vast's CEO Max Haot said in a statement, which did not provide a timeline.

SpaceX has previously flown three private missions to the orbital laboratory with Axiom Space and is preparing for a fourth.

It has also partnered with Polaris, a venture led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, for two orbital voyages, one of which featured the first spacewalk by non-professional astronauts.

Isaacman has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as the next NASA administrator, reflecting a controversial era of expanding public-private partnerships in space.

"I am excited to work with Vast as they build more opportunities and destinations for more people to travel amongst the stars," said Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX's president and chief operating officer.

Such missions cater to both wealthy individuals and sovereign governments.

The last Axiom mission included astronauts from Italy, Sweden, and Turkey, whose seats were sponsored by their respective nations.

Vast, founded in 2021, said it is in active discussions with several governments, including the Czech Republic, about future missions.

With the ISS set to be decommissioned in 2030, Vast is among several companies competing to build and launch the world's first commercial space station.

The company plans to launch a mini station, Haven-1, in 2025, followed by Haven-2, a larger station designed to fully replace the ISS.

"Vast's long-term ambition is to create artificial gravity habitations that enable humans to live in space," the company said.

Other contenders for the first commercial space station include Axiom Space, Voyager Space in partnership with Airbus, and Blue Origin in collaboration with Sierra Space.