Paris – 06/02/2026: France’s President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant initiative in French spaceflight on June 1, 2026. At the “Choose France” summit, a groundbreaking agreement was signed between the French government and the US-based aerospace company Vast Space. Accordingly, French astronauts Thomas Pesquet and Arnaud Prost will take part in two exclusive space missions in 2027.
Thomas Pesquet, who has previously flown twice to the International Space Station (ISS), will command a private mission to the ISS. This mission is part of the growing cooperation between France and the private space industry and marks a milestone in leveraging private resources in space. Pesquet sees this as an opportunity to further expand his extensive space experience and promote new scientific discoveries on the ISS.
Arnaud Prost, a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) reserve, will serve as an engineer aboard the privately operated space station Haven-1. This station, developed by Vast Space, is the first of its kind and aims to open new possibilities for private spaceflight. Prost will play a key role in the technical control and operation of the station, marking his first time in space.
These missions are part of France’s long-term strategy to strengthen its presence in space through innovative partnerships with private companies. President Macron emphasized that this cooperation with Vast Space underlines France’s ambitious plans in spaceflight and will provide important impetus for the development of new technologies.
The significance of the projects goes beyond pure space exploration: they foster scientific exchange and strengthen international collaboration. For the French space industry, they offer opportunities to compete better globally and establish itself as a pioneer in utilizing private spaceflight infrastructure.
Preparations for the missions have already begun. Those involved expect that in 2027 the missions will not only advance technological innovations but also deliver important insights for future expeditions, such as to the Moon or Mars. The space community in France is following these developments with great interest, as they open new avenues for research and technology.
In addition to technological aspects, the health care of the astronauts will be a central theme. The experiences and data Pesquet and Prost gather on these missions are intended to help better understand the physical and psychological challenges of space and thereby improve the safety of future astronauts.