French astronaut Thomas Pesquet is set to lead a private mission to the International Space Station (ISS), organized by Vast, a U.S.-based startup. The mission, named PAM-1, will include at least three astronauts from the European Space Agency (ESA): Pesquet as commander, Czech astronaut Aleš Svoboda as pilot, and Greek astronaut Adrianos Golémis. A fourth crew member is expected to be announced soon. The mission, partially funded by the French government, has sparked discussions among scientists about budget priorities and the need for increased funding for research projects. Vast was founded in 2021 in California by Jed McCaleb, a billionaire entrepreneur known for creating the eDonkey file-sharing network and participating in the cryptocurrency industry. Initially, the company aimed to build space stations with artificial gravity, a concept that would allow astronauts to experience gravity similar to Earth’s in space. However, due to technical difficulties, the project was abandoned, and the company shifted its focus to commercial space stations designed to eventually replace the aging ISS. Vast has partnered with SpaceX, using the Falcon 9 rocket for its missions. In 2023, the company planned to launch a space tug—a vehicle designed to move cargo in space—but the project was canceled after a technical failure. Vast also hired former astronaut Garrett Reisman to assist with its development. The company is working on a prototype space station called Haven-1, with a planned launch in 2027 and full completion expected by 2032. Haven-1 will rely on SpaceX's Starship rocket for deployment. In June 2024, the French government signed an agreement with Vast under President Emmanuel Macron to send two French astronauts to space. Thomas Pesquet will make his third trip to space, while Arnaud Prost will embark on his first spaceflight. The PAM-1 mission is viewed as a preparatory step for Vast before it begins operating its own space stations, marking a significant step in the commercialization of space travel.