SpaceX partners with Vast to conduct private manned missions to the International Space Station and plans to launch the world’s first commercial space station. |Photo credit: AP
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is planning to partner with a California-based startup to launch private manned missions to the International Space Station, the two companies said on Thursday (December 19, 2024).
The missions are subject to NASA approval and involve Vast, which also plans to launch the world’s first commercial space station as early as next year.
“Providing payloads and crewed missions to the International Space Station is a key part of Vast’s strategy and allows us to further collaborate with NASA and space agencies around the world,” Vast CEO Max Haot said in a statement, which did not provide a timetable. .
SpaceX has previously flown three private missions to the orbiting laboratory with Axiom Space and is preparing for a fourth.
It has also partnered with Polaris, the company led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, on two orbital voyages, one of which was the first spacewalk by non-professional astronauts.
Isaacman’s nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to be the next NASA administrator reflects an era of expanding public-private partnerships in space.
“I’m excited to partner with Vast as they create more interstellar travel opportunities and destinations for more people,” said SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell.
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 countries.
Founded in 2021, Vast said it is actively discussing future missions with several governments, including the Czech Republic. With the International Space Station due to retire in 2030, Vast is one of several companies racing to build and launch the world’s first commercial space station.
The company plans to launch a small space station, Haven-1, in 2025, followed by a larger space station, Haven-2, aiming to completely replace the International Space Station. “Vast’s long-term goal is to create artificial gravity residences that will 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 Sierra Space In partnership with Blue Origin.
Published – December 20, 2024 05:59 AM (IST)