New Delhi: NASA has selected defence and space company Voyager Technologies for the seventh private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is designated as VOYG-1, with the crew expected to spend 14 days in the orbital complex. Voyager will propose the astronauts for the mission, who will then train with NASA, international partners and the launch provider. Voyager will also purchase mission services from NASA, including crew consumables, cargo delivery, storage and other in-orbit resources for daily use. The mission is an evolution of Voyager’s human spaceflight portfolio, and is envisioned as a bridge to commercial space stations and future deep-space platforms.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said, “Private astronaut missions are accelerating the growth of new ideas, industries, and technologies that strengthen America’s presence in low Earth orbit and pave the way for what comes next. With three providers now selected for private missions, NASA is doing everything we can to send more astronauts to space and ignite the orbital economy. Each new partner brings fresh capabilities that move us closer to a future with multiple commercially operated space stations and a vibrant, sustainable marketplace in low Earth orbit.” The three providers of commercial flights are Axiom, Vast and Voyager.
Future Private missions to ISS
The Axiom 4 mission with ISRO Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla on board was the last commercial mission to the ISS. The private mission to the orbital complex, the fifth is by Axiom Space, which is currently slotted for no sooner than January 2027. The proposed astronauts will train with NASA before the launch. After that, NASA plans to launch the sixth private astronaut mission with Vast, no sooner than Summer 2027. Vast will be picking the astronauts for this launch, and testing their brand new spacesuits. This will be followed by the seventh private astronaut mission by Voyager, which is currently slotted for 2028.