French astronaut Thomas Pesquet is set to return to space in 2027, according to an announcement made on June 2, 2026. He will be joined on the mission by fellow astronaut Arnaud Prost.
The mission is the result of a formal agreement established between the French government and the American aerospace company Vast. The partnership was officially unveiled during the Choose France Summit, an annual event hosted by the French government to encourage foreign investment and international business collaboration.
While specific mission objectives and technical details regarding the flight remain limited, the collaboration represents a notable shift in France's strategy for orbital access. By partnering with a private American entity like Vast, French space authorities are moving to supplement traditional agency-led space programs with commercial alternatives.
This announcement highlights the increasing integration of private enterprise into the global space sector. The decision to finalize the agreement during the Choose France Summit underscores the government's objective of securing a sustained French presence in low-Earth orbit through international commercial cooperation.
