New Private Mission Awarded
Voyager Technologies has officially been chosen by NASA to undertake a private astronaut mission, with the flight slated for no earlier than 2028. This
selection makes Voyager the third entity to receive such an opportunity from NASA, building upon the agency's broader initiative to encourage commercial space activities. The award came as a slight surprise, given that NASA had initially solicited proposals for the fifth and sixth private astronaut missions (PAMs) in 2025, selecting Axiom Space and Vast respectively. However, NASA re-evaluated Voyager's proposal, deeming it 'selectable for negotiations' due to evolving programmatic priorities and available resources. This paved the way for an additional mission within the PAM 6 flight opportunity window, which is open-ended and begins around mid-2027, allowing Voyager to secure the seventh PAM slot.
Catalyst for Commercial Stations
The significance of these private astronaut missions extends beyond the immediate flights; they are instrumental in developing the next generation of commercial space stations that will eventually succeed the International Space Station. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that having multiple companies like Axiom, Vast, and Voyager involved in private missions accelerates the development of these future orbital habitats. Each participating company brings unique capabilities that contribute to establishing a thriving marketplace in low Earth orbit. All three selected companies are actively engaged in building their own commercial space stations. Axiom is developing Axiom Station, Vast is progressing with its Haven-1 and Haven-2 stations, and Voyager is a key partner in the Starlab Space joint venture, which is planning its own orbital outpost.
Mission Details Evolve
While specific details regarding the upcoming private astronaut missions, including Voyager's, remain under wraps, it is anticipated that these missions will be approximately two weeks in duration. The use of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft is a strong likelihood for transporting these private astronauts. A critical aspect for all missions is crew selection, which will require approval from NASA and the other international partners aboard the ISS. Intriguingly, NASA has recently announced a policy change that allows companies to sell the commander seat on these PAM flights, a seat previously reserved for former NASA astronauts employed by the company. This adjustment is expected to generate additional revenue for the companies and potentially streamline mission planning and execution, a move widely supported by the industry as a way to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and foster innovation.
