24/7 Space News
SPACE TRAVEL
SpaceX to launch more private astronaut missions to ISS
SpaceX to launch more private astronaut missions to ISS
by AFP Staff Writers
Washington (AFP) Dec 19, 2024

Elon Musk's SpaceX is planning to fly private crew missions to the International Space Station in partnership with a California-based startup, the two companies said on Thursday.

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 an 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.

Related Links
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SPACE TRAVEL
Indian Navy and ISRO conduct astronaut well deck recovery trials for Gaganyaan Mission
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 13, 2024
The Indian Navy and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have advanced preparations for Gaganyaan's recovery operations by conducting "Well Deck" recovery trials on December 6, 2024. The exercise took place under the Eastern Naval Command using a well deck-equipped ship off the coast of Visakhapatnam. A ship's well deck can be flooded to allow docking of smaller vessels, landing crafts, or recovered spacecraft. This capability is critical for efficient and safe retrieval operations after ... read more

SPACE TRAVEL
U.S., India undertake strengthened space partnership

ISS research on cancer and neurodegenerative therapies returns from Space Station

Stranded Boeing Starliner astronauts face new delay in return to Earth from ISS

Plextek's cutting-edge mmWave technology for space operations and sensing

SPACE TRAVEL
Japanese startup's space rocket launch fails

FAA issues License Authorization for SpaceX Starship Flight 7

Rocket Lab delivers second spacecraft and completes third for Varda Space Industries

First integration of European reusable stage demonstrator Themis

SPACE TRAVEL
Anthropologists urge preservation of human artifacts on Mars

NASA honours Algerian parks with Martian namesakes

New study questions the potential for liquid brines on Mars

NASA Mars Orbiter captures dust-covered InSight Lander

SPACE TRAVEL
China's space journey continues apace

Shenzhou XIX crew completes successful spacewalk outside Tiangong station

China boosts Lunar and Mars mission capabilities with advanced Long March rockets

Long March 12 set for inaugural launch from Hainan space center

SPACE TRAVEL
Reflex Aerospace ships first commercial satellite SIGI for launch

NASA outlines long-term goals for human presence in low earth orbit

Space42 signs major contract with UAE govt for satellite services and capacity expansion

UNIBAP: Contec Space Optics orders iX10 solution for satellite constellation

SPACE TRAVEL
University of Texas at San Antonio establishes center for advancing space technology

Astroscale's ADRAS-J demonstrates key 15-meter proximity to space debris

UT researchers secure $17.8M grant for cutting-edge hypersonic wind tunnel

AI startup Databricks raises $10 bn as value soars

SPACE TRAVEL
The light of TRAPPIST-1 b analyzed at two wavelengths reveals key insights into its nature

Planet-forming discs persist longer in early Universe environments

Does Trappist-1 b have an atmosphere after all

ALMA observes dust clump where a new planet may form

SPACE TRAVEL
Jovian vortex hunter catalog reveals stunning insights into Jupiter's atmosphere

Juno identifies localized magma chambers driving Io's volcanic activity

NASA marks ten years of Hubble's Outer Planets Survey

Magnetic tornado is stirring up the haze at Jupiter's poles

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.