French astronauts Thomas Pesquet and Arnaud Prost will fly on two separate private-sector space missions in 2027 [1].

These flights represent a strategic shift for France as it seeks to maintain an orbital presence and prepare for the transition away from the International Space Station (ISS).

Under the terms of a French-American agreement with the California-based startup Vast, the two astronauts will utilize SpaceX Crew-Dragon capsules launched from the U.S. [2]. Thomas Pesquet is slated to serve as the commander of a flight heading to the ISS [3].

Arnaud Prost will take a different trajectory, traveling to the Haven-1 station [2]. Haven-1 is a private orbital facility, marking a departure from traditional government-led missions to the ISS [3].

France is coordinating these missions to ensure the country remains a key player in space exploration. By partnering with private entities like Vast, France aims to position itself ahead of the planned retirement of the ISS [4].

The agreement ensures that French personnel continue to gain critical experience in microgravity environments, while diversifying the infrastructure they utilize [4]. This move allows France to transition from reliance on a single international outpost to a network of private and public stations [4].

Both missions are scheduled for 2027 [1]. The use of Crew-Dragon capsules highlights the increasing role of commercial providers in transporting professional astronauts for national interests [2].

“Thomas Pesquet and Arnaud Prost will fly on two separate private-sector space missions in 2027.”

The shift toward private-sector missions signals the beginning of the post-ISS era, where national space agencies must rely on commercial partnerships to maintain an orbital presence. By securing slots on both a traditional government station and a new private facility like Haven-1, France is hedging its bets against the decommissioning of the ISS and diversifying its strategic access to space.