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NASA Opens Private ISS Missions to Non-NASA Commanders

June 1, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

NASA allows non-NASA astronauts to command private ISS missions.
Thomas Pesquet, a French astronaut, will lead a private mission in 2027.
Pesquet has spent nearly 400 days in space and commanded the ISS before.
France has secured two flights with startup Vast.

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Strategic Implications

This move may signal a shift in the balance of power in space exploration, with private companies and international partnerships playing a larger role. The selection of Thomas Pesquet, a non-NASA astronaut, as commander suggests that NASA is open to collaborating with other space agencies and companies, which could lead to new opportunities for international cooperation and commercialization of space travel.

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What Happened

French Astronaut Thomas Pesquet Leads Historic Shift

In 2025, NASA quietly opened the commander’s seat on private missions to the International Space Station to astronauts who never wore its patch. The first man in line is Thomas Pesquet, a French astronaut who has commanded the station before and will return in 2027 flying for a California startup. Pesquet has spent close to 400 days in space across two missions and will lead a private mission to the ISS, marking a historic shift in the role of non-NASA astronauts in space exploration. This development was first reported by Space Daily.

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