ESA and Vast Advance Czech Republic–Backed Private Astronaut Mission to ISS in Partnership with NASA
Vast, a company focused on developing next-generation space stations and advanced space infrastructure, has announced a new partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), acting on behalf of the Czech Republic, to support a planned astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The agreement represents a significant step forward in the Czech Republic’s human spaceflight ambitions and builds directly on a memorandum of understanding signed between Vast and the Czech Republic in 2024.
The collaboration is designed to enable a Czech astronaut to travel to the ISS through a framework supported by ESA and facilitated through international partners, including NASA. The mission remains subject to review and final approval by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP), the governing body responsible for coordinating crew assignments and operational decisions for the ISS program. The MCOP operates on a consensus basis, bringing together representatives from all five ISS partner agencies: NASA (United States), ESA (Europe), Roscosmos (Russia), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Only after this multi-agency approval process will final crew assignments be confirmed.
If approved, Czech astronaut Aleš Svoboda is expected to serve as mission pilot. Svoboda is one of the 12 members of the ESA astronaut reserve selected in November 2022, a group identified for their advanced training and readiness for potential future missions. His selection for this flight would mark a historic milestone: the first time a Czech astronaut travels to the International Space Station. He is also planned to fly alongside ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who has been designated as mission commander, adding significant operational experience to the crew composition.
The Czech government has framed the mission as both a symbolic achievement and a strategic national investment. Officials emphasized that participation in human spaceflight extends beyond prestige, highlighting its broader implications for science, industry, education, and technological competitiveness.
Karel Havlíček, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, described the mission as a transformative step for the country’s innovation ecosystem. He noted that space technologies already contribute to a wide range of high-value sectors, including telecommunications, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and data-driven services. According to Havlíček, the mission is intended to strengthen the Czech Republic’s industrial and technological base while expanding opportunities for Czech companies and research institutions to engage in international space projects. He also stressed the importance of inspiring future generations of engineers, scientists, and innovators through visible national participation in space exploration.
The mission is currently planned for 2027 and will rely on SpaceX transportation systems. Crew launch operations are expected to use a Dragon spacecraft launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, continuing SpaceX’s established role in commercial crew transport to the ISS. While the launch provider is defined, final scheduling and crew integration remain dependent on international coordination and operational readiness across participating agencies.
Czech Minister of Defence Jaromír Zůna also highlighted the mission’s broader strategic value. He stated that the project demonstrates the Czech Republic’s technical expertise, institutional readiness, and commitment to participating in cutting-edge international programs. Zůna emphasized that the selection of a Czech pilot from the ESA reserve astronaut corps reflects the country’s strong training standards and professional capabilities within the European space ecosystem. He further noted that the mission is not only a single achievement, but part of a long-term investment in national scientific and technological advancement.
From the European perspective, ESA leadership underscored the importance of evolving international partnerships and commercial collaboration in enabling member states to access human spaceflight opportunities. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher described the agreement as an example of how the agency is helping member states participate in space exploration through new commercial models. He also acknowledged NASA’s role in enabling and facilitating commercial access to the ISS under existing international frameworks. According to Aschbacher, the mission supports both Czech national ambitions and Europe’s broader goals in exploration, innovation, and long-term capability development.
Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA’s Director for Human and Robotic Exploration, noted that this marks the third time ESA has supported member states in accessing human spaceflight through commercial partnerships. He emphasized ESA’s continued role in providing technical expertise, operational guidance, and astronaut training experience developed over decades of involvement in space missions. Neuenschwander stated that the mission will contribute to strengthening technological capabilities within the Czech Republic while advancing scientific and engineering knowledge that can be applied across multiple sectors.
Vast CEO Max Haot expressed strong support for the initiative, describing it as an important expansion of the company’s partnership with the Czech Republic and ESA. He highlighted the Czech Republic’s commitment to increasing its participation in the global space economy and emphasized the value of collaboration between government agencies and commercial space companies. Haot also noted that Vast is working closely with ESA, NASA, and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure successful mission planning and execution.
The Czech delegation to ESA also emphasized the importance of institutional cooperation in making the mission possible. Václav Kobera, Director of New Technologies and head of the Czech Space Agency within the Ministry of Industry and Trade, stated that the partnership provides valuable opportunities for Czech universities, research institutions, and private companies to gain experience in advanced space operations. He added that the mission strengthens the Czech Republic’s position within the broader European space ecosystem and enhances its ability to contribute meaningfully to future exploration initiatives.
Beyond the immediate mission objectives, the initiative reflects a broader shift in how human spaceflight is being organized and funded. Increasingly, space agencies and governments are leveraging commercial partnerships to expand access to low Earth orbit while reducing costs and increasing flexibility. In this case, the collaboration between ESA, NASA, and Vast demonstrates how public and private entities can work together under established international governance structures like the ISS partnership framework.
The mission is also expected to deliver broader scientific and educational benefits. Microgravity research conducted aboard the ISS continues to contribute to advances in materials science, medicine, biotechnology, and Earth observation. By enabling Czech participation in such research, the program is expected to support long-term national innovation capacity and foster deeper integration into global scientific networks.
In early June, Vast announced plans to establish its European headquarters in Paris, France, further reinforcing its commitment to expanding its presence in Europe and strengthening ties with ESA member states. This development aligns with the company’s broader strategy of supporting international access to microgravity environments and enabling participation in the emerging space economy.
Taken together, these milestones highlight a growing convergence between national space ambitions, international agency cooperation, and commercial spaceflight capabilities. For the Czech Republic, the mission represents a historic opportunity to join the ranks of nations with human spaceflight experience. For ESA and its partners, it reflects a continued evolution toward hybrid public-private models that aim to expand access to space while fostering innovation across member states.
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