This article is based on an official press release from Vast Space.

Vast Space Selected by NASA for Sixth Private Astronaut Mission to ISS

NASA has officially selected Vast Space to conduct the sixth private astronaut mission (PAM-6) to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, targeted for launch no earlier than summer 2027, marks a significant expansion in the commercial landscape of Low Earth Orbit (LEO). According to the announcement from the Long Beach-based aerospace company, this selection positions Vast as a key player in NASA’s strategy to transition from government-led operations to a commercial space economy.

The mission will utilize a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and a Dragon spacecraft to transport four private astronauts to the orbiting laboratory. While the specific crew members have not yet been named, Vast confirmed that the mission will focus heavily on science and research, distinguishing it from purely tourism-focused endeavors. This contract award represents a major milestone for Vast, which was founded in 2021 and is simultaneously developing its own commercial space station, Haven-1.

Mission Profile and Objectives

Under the terms of the agreement, the PAM-6 mission is designed to spend up to 14 days docked at the ISS. Vast stated in their press release that the primary objective is to conduct a broad range of experiments, including biology, biotechnology, physical sciences, and human research. This focus aligns with NASA’s requirement that private missions contribute to the utilization of the ISS’s research capabilities.

Vast will be responsible for the end-to-end mission management, including crew selection, training, and mission execution, subject to rigorous approval by NASA and its international partners. The company emphasized that this operational experience is critical for their long-term goals.

“Leveraging the remaining life of the International Space Station with science and research-led commercial crewed missions is a critical part of the transition to commercial space stations and fully unlocking the orbital economy.”

, Max Haot, CEO of Vast

Operational Timeline

The summer 2027 target date places PAM-6 in a busy operational window for the company. According to company timelines, Vast intends to launch its own single-module space station, Haven-1, in the first quarter of 2027. If these schedules hold, Vast could be managing two separate human spaceflight programs, one to the ISS and one to its own outpost, within the same calendar year.

Strategic Context: The Road to Haven

Vast views the PAM-6 mission as more than just a flight to the ISS; it is an operational pathfinder for their future independent stations. By managing a crewed mission to the ISS, the company aims to refine the logistics, training protocols, and safety procedures required to operate Haven-1 and its planned successor, Haven-2.

According to industry data, Vast successfully launched a “Haven Demo” pathfinder spacecraft in November 2025 aboard a SpaceX rideshare mission. That demonstration validated critical subsystems such as avionics and propulsion, likely contributing to NASA’s confidence in awarding the PAM-6 contract.

Dana Weigel, NASA’s ISS Program Manager, highlighted the agency’s goal of fostering a robust commercial market through these missions.

“By hosting private astronaut missions, the station helps accelerate innovation, opens new commercial pathways, and advances research strengthening the foundation of a thriving space economy.”

, Dana Weigel, NASA ISS Program Manager

AirPro News analysis

The selection of Vast for PAM-6 signals a notable shift in the private astronaut market, which has previously been dominated by Axiom Space. Axiom operated the first four private missions to the ISS (Ax-1 through Ax-4) and holds the contract for Ax-5. By selecting a second provider, NASA appears to be actively encouraging competition and reducing reliance on a single vendor for commercial access to the station.

Furthermore, this “dual-track” strategy, where Vast pursues both ISS missions and its own station simultaneously, is aggressive. It suggests that the company is positioning itself not just as a participant in the current ISS program, but as a leading contender for the Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) program that will eventually replace the ISS around 2030.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the mission launch?
The mission is targeted for launch no earlier than summer 2027.

Who will be on board?
Vast will select four crew members. Their names have not been announced, but they will undergo NASA and international partner approval.

What spacecraft will be used?
The mission will use a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket.

How does this relate to Haven-1?
Vast plans to launch its own station, Haven-1, in early 2027. The ISS mission (PAM-6) serves as an operational experience builder and risk-reduction exercise for the company’s long-term habitation goals.

Sources

• Vast Space Press Release
• NASA Official Announcement

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission successfully lifted off early Friday morning, marking the beginning of an eight-month scientific expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS). According to official reports from the space agency, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched at 5:15 a.m. EST on February 13, 2026, from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The mission carries a diverse international crew of four, including two NASA astronauts, one European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, and one Roscosmos cosmonaut. The crew is traveling aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, which successfully separated from the rocket’s second stage and achieved orbit shortly after launch. NASA confirms the spacecraft is currently executing a series of engine burns to rendezvous with the orbiting laboratory, with docking scheduled for approximately 3:15 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 14.

Crew Profile and Mission Roles

The Crew-12 team comprises a mix of veteran spacefarers and first-time flyers who will join Expedition 74 aboard the ISS. NASA officials highlighted the specific roles and backgrounds of the four crew members:

• Jessica Meir (Commander, NASA): A veteran of Expedition 61/62 and a marine biologist, Meir is making her second trip to space. She is historically noted for participating in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. As Commander, she is responsible for all phases of the flight from launch to re-entry.
• Jack Hathaway (Pilot, NASA): Making his first spaceflight, Hathaway is a U.S. Navy Commander and test pilot with over 2,500 flight hours. He joined the NASA astronaut corps in 2021 and is responsible for monitoring spacecraft systems and performance.
• Sophie Adenot (Mission Specialist, ESA): An engineer and helicopter test pilot from France, Adenot is the first astronaut from the ESA’s 2022 class to reach orbit. Her mission segment is officially designated “Epsilon” by the ESA.
• Andrey Fedyaev (Mission Specialist, Roscosmos): A Russian cosmonaut and military pilot, Fedyaev previously flew on the Crew-6 mission in 2023. He is tasked with monitoring flight phases and managing the Russian segment’s schedule.

Scientific Objectives for Expedition 74

During their eight-month stay, the crew will conduct hundreds of experiments designed to prepare humanity for future deep-space exploration, including missions to the Moon and Mars. NASA has outlined several critical research areas for this mission.

Medical and Biological Research

A primary focus of the mission involves understanding how the space environment affects human health. One key study will investigate how Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria interact with heart tissue in microgravity. According to mission documentation, bacteria can become more virulent in space, and researchers aim to identify the mechanisms behind potential long-term heart damage caused by respiratory infections.

Additionally, the crew will study fluid shifts and blood flow. This research examines how physical characteristics influence clotting risks during spaceflight, a vital dataset for mitigating health risks on long-duration missions.

Technology Demonstrations

The crew is also tasked with testing new life-support technologies. NASA highlights a system designed to generate intravenous (IV) fluids directly from the station’s water supply. This capability is considered critical for future Mars missions, where the logistical burden of carrying large supplies of pre-packaged medical fluids would be impractical.

Launch Infrastructure and Hardware

The launch of Crew-12 represents a continued effort to expand the operational redundancy of commercial spaceflight infrastructure. This mission is only the second human spaceflight to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40). Historically used for cargo and satellite missions, SpaceX upgraded the pad to support crewed launches, providing a backup to the primary pad at Launch Complex 39A.

The hardware for this mission also highlights the reusability central to the Commercial Crew Program. The Dragon capsule Freedom is making its return to space, having previously supported the Crew-4, Ax-2, Ax-3, and Crew-9 missions.

AirPro News Analysis

The successful utilization of SLC-40 for Crew-12 underscores a maturing commercial space ecosystem. By validating a second launch pad for human missions, NASA and SpaceX have effectively mitigated the risk of single-point ground infrastructure failure. This redundancy is essential for maintaining a continuous human presence on the ISS, especially as the station approaches its final years of operation and traffic to low-Earth orbit increases.

Furthermore, the inclusion of an ESA rookie alongside seasoned NASA and Roscosmos veterans illustrates the continued reliance on the ISS as a diplomatic and cooperative platform. Despite geopolitical tensions on Earth, the integrated crew operations required for Expedition 74 demonstrate that space remains a unique venue for international collaboration.

Sources

• NASA Commercial Crew Blog
• European Space Agency (ESA)
• Space.com

This article is based on an official press release and mission data from NASA.

NASA and SpaceX Target Friday Morning for Crew-12 Launch to ISS

NASA and SpaceX teams are finalizing preparations for the launch of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). According to an official update from NASA, the four-person crew is scheduled to lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 5:15 a.m. EST on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The mission will utilize a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon spacecraft named “Freedom.” As ground teams monitor weather conditions and technical systems, the astronauts are adhering to a strict pre-launch timeline to ensure readiness for their eight-month expedition.

Final Preparations and Launch Timeline

According to NASA, teams are conducting “final preparations” throughout Thursday, culminating in a critical weather briefing late in the evening. The agency reports that the crew is following a “precise checklist” of activities leading up to liftoff.

Mission data indicates that the Launch timeline follows a strict “L-Minus” schedule. Key milestones for the Friday morning launch include:

• L-4h 15m (01:00 AM EST): A final crew weather briefing to confirm conditions are safe for ascent.
• L-4h 00m: Astronauts will suit up in their custom SpaceX pressure suits and perform leak checks.
• L-3h 10m: The crew will exit the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for the traditional “walkout” to the transport vehicles.
• L-35m: Fueling of the Falcon 9 rocket with RP-1 kerosene and liquid oxygen begins following a “Go/No-Go” poll.

Weather forecasts for the Friday morning window appear promising. Data indicates a 90% chance of favorable conditions at the launch site, with the primary watch item being cumulus clouds. This follows a previous delay caused by high winds along the ascent corridor.

The Crew-12 Team

The Crew-12 mission features a diverse international roster comprising two NASA astronauts, one European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, and one Roscosmos cosmonaut. They will join Expedition 74 aboard the ISS, restoring the station to a full seven-person crew.

Commander Jessica Meir (NASA)

A veteran of Expedition 61/62, Meir is famous for participating in the first all-female spacewalk. This marks her second spaceflight. Regarding the upcoming launch, Meir noted the atmosphere is becoming “very, very real” and expressed readiness to “pass the relay” to the next generation of explorers.

Pilot Jack Hathaway (NASA)

Making his first spaceflight, Hathaway is a former U.S. Navy Commander with more than 2,500 flight hours across 30 aircraft types. He emphasized the importance of his background, stating:

“We’re all a product of where we come from.”

, Jack Hathaway, NASA Pilot

Mission Specialist Sophie Adenot (ESA)

Adenot, a Helicopters test pilot from France, is the first from her 2022 ESA astronaut class to fly. Her mission, dubbed “Epsilon,” represents a significant milestone for European spaceflight. She described the ISS as “a very good symbol of what humanity can achieve when nations work together.”

Mission Specialist Andrey Fedyaev (Roscosmos)

Fedyaev is embarking on his second spaceflight, having previously flown on the Crew-6 mission.

Mission Objectives and Science

During their extended eight-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory, the crew is slated to conduct over 200 science experiments. According to mission overviews, key research areas include:

• Venous Flow: Studying blood flow from the brain to the heart in microgravity to better understand clot risks.
• Manual Piloting: Testing pilot performance after long-duration spaceflight to aid planning for future Mars missions.
• Plant Health: Investigating how plants defend themselves against bacteria in the space environment.

AirPro News Analysis

The arrival of Crew-12 is operationally critical for the International Space Station. Following the early return of Crew-11, the station has been operating with a reduced staff. The restoration of a full seven-person crew will allow the station to return to maximum capacity for both maintenance and scientific output.

Furthermore, the inclusion of Sophie Adenot highlights the deepening integration of international partners in the Commercial Crew Program. As the “Epsilon” mission begins, it underscores the routine nature of these flights while reminding observers that the complexity of spaceflight requires, as NASA notes, a “precise checklist” and constant vigilance regarding weather and technical margins.

Sources:

• NASA Commercial Crew Blog