French astronauts Thomas Pesquet and Arnaud Prost will travel to space in 2027 as part of two commercial missions [1].

These flights represent a strategic shift in how France accesses orbit, moving toward commercial partnerships to maintain a consistent presence in space. The missions are designed to showcase French technical ambitions through a new collaboration with the private sector.

The announcement was made on Monday, June 1, 2026 [2]. The missions are the result of a commercial agreement signed between the French government and the U.S.-based company Vast [1]. Both astronauts are scheduled to visit the International Space Station (ISS) [3].

Each mission is expected to last approximately two weeks [4]. For Thomas Pesquet, the journey will mark his third flight to the ISS [5]. For Arnaud Prost, the mission will be his first flight into space [5].

The partnership with the American firm is intended to secure France's role in future space exploration. A representative from Vast said the company "has reached an agreement with France for two missions. This confirms our spatial ambition" [6].

By utilizing commercial providers like Vast, France aims to achieve two world-firsts during these deployments [1]. The missions will focus on operational goals that reinforce the nation's standing in the global aerospace community, integrating public scientific goals with private infrastructure.

“Thomas Pesquet and Arnaud Prost will travel to space in 2027”

This agreement signals a pivot toward the 'New Space' economy, where national space agencies increasingly rely on private US companies for transport and logistics. By securing seats for both a veteran like Pesquet and a newcomer like Prost, France is ensuring a transfer of expertise while diversifying its orbital access beyond traditional government-to-government frameworks.