Voyager Technologies Signs Agreement with NASA for Seventh Private Mission to the ISS

Axiom Space has paved the way for private missions related to U.S. companies heading to the International Space Station (using SpaceX hardware, such as the Crew Dragon capsules). Before the ISS is deorbited, between 2030 and 2032, there will be more missions of this kind organized by other companies. For example, Vast plans to send astronauts no earlier than the summer of 2027 through a collaboration with SpaceX, while a collaboration with Voyager Technologies has also recently been announced.

We have exciting news to share: Voyager has been awarded a contract by @NASA to fly the seventh Private Astronaut Mission to the @Space_Station. For decades, our team has worked alongside NASA, building hardware, designing missions and installing the Station’s first and only.

According to the official reports from the U.S. space agency, NASA and Voyager Technologies have signed an agreement for the seventh private mission that will take astronauts to the International Space Station. Due to crew rotation and possibilities for docking space on the ISS, this mission will not launch before 2028.

This is the first mission for Voyager Technologies and will be named VOYG-1. NASA has emphasized that these types of operations are also intended for "promoting a commercial space economy" as well as providing new opportunities for the space industry to operate in low Earth orbit.

It's worth noting that both Vast and Voyager Technologies are building commercial space stations, namely Haven-1 (and subsequently Haven-2) and Starlab, respectively. For this reason, conducting missions in microgravity in a proven environment like the International Space Station is of strategic importance in view of the upcoming operations of the new space stations.

Jared Isaacman (NASA administrator) stated, "Missions with private astronauts 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 possible to send more astronauts into space and ignite the orbital economy. Every new partner brings new capabilities that bring us closer to a future with more commercially-operated space stations and a vibrant, sustainable marketplace in low Earth orbit."

According to reports, the VOYG-1 mission will have a nominal duration of 14 days, though a specific launch date has yet to be established, with the launch expected to occur from Florida. Voyager Technologies will indicate who the four selected crew members are, and once approved, they will plan the operations schedule. As with other private missions, Voyager Technologies will purchase consumables for the crew, dedicated resources for the payloads that will be taken aboard, space within the ISS, and everything necessary to live for two weeks in microgravity.