The mission is planned for 2027 as part of a private astronaut mission to the ISS that NASA awarded to Vast.

Aleš Svoboda is one of 12 members of ESA’s astronaut reserve selected in November 2022.

ESA has completed Astronaut Reserve Training for Aleš Svoboda at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.

If MCOP approval is granted, Aleš Svoboda will begin mission-specific training for the ISS.

The Czech Republic will draw on ESA’s experience in mission and payload preparation, microgravity scientific experiments, and post-flight rehabilitation.

The mission remains subject to review and approval by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel.

The European Space Agency has signed an agreement with Vast to implement an astronaut mission to the International Space Station on behalf of the Czech Republic.

ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet is the commander for the Vast mission.

Vast will work with ESA and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade on the mission.

If approved, Aleš Svoboda would become the first Czech astronaut to visit the International Space Station.

ESA is working with the Czech Republic to provide expertise in human spaceflight.

Amazon Leo remains subject to the July 30, 2029 full-deployment deadline.

Amazon Leo will lose priority access to spectrum for satellites deployed after July 30, 2026 until March 30, 2028 or until it reaches the 50% deployment milestone.

Amazon Leo can shorten the priority-spectrum wait to October 30, 2027 if it proves that at least 50% of the satellites are built and a launch is secured.

Amazon Leo was required to launch half of its authorized first-generation satellites by July 30, 2026 and the remainder by July 30, 2029.

Amazon Leo planned to invest more than $10 billion in its constellation.

Amazon Leo committed to deploy all 3,232 satellites by the original July 30, 2029 deadline.

The FCC said Amazon Leo’s delayed deployment would still benefit the American public by providing an alternative broadband service to SpaceX’s Starlink and increasing competition.

Amazon Leo had launched 331 satellites, or about 10% of its planned constellation, at the time of the FCC waiver request.

Amazon Leo asked the FCC for an additional two years to meet the 50% deployment deadline or for a waiver of that midpoint deadline.

The FCC authorized Amazon Leo to launch 3,232 first-generation satellites in July 2020.

The FCC approved Amazon Leo’s waiver request and did not cap the company at its current number of satellites in orbit.

Redwire’s Greenhouse platform is designed as a simple, scalable commercial platform for advancing crop science from laboratory settings to full production in space.

Astrobiome Space’s biostimulant is expected to increase wild strawberries’ natural resilience and nutrient density, including higher levels of vitamin C, potassium, flavonoids, polyphenols, and antioxidants.

Redwire has approximately 1,400 employees across Europe and North America.

Redwire’s Greenhouse system will make its inaugural flight on the Astrobiome Space mission.

Astrobiome Space is headquartered in Texas and Luxembourg.

PONDS devices were developed in partnership with Tupperware Brands and are currently operated by Redwire aboard the ISS.

No launch date has been announced for the orbital mission.

Redwire’s European operations are based in Luxembourg.

Redwire’s Luxembourg facility designs and develops advanced robotic arm systems for satellite servicing, refueling, payload management, and in-space manufacturing.

Redwire’s Greenhouse uses flight-qualified plant growth technology, including the Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System, or PONDS.

Astrobiome Space works with research and government partners that include Japanese R&D organizations, the European Space Agency, and the Luxembourg Space Agency.

Redwire’s Greenhouse platform is designed to support institutional and commercial customers with plant science and industrial research goals.

Astrobiome Space will begin growing test crops in Redwire’s Greenhouse system on Earth in June before the ISS flight.

Redwire Corporation won a contract from Luxembourg-based biotechnology startup Astrobiome Space S.à r.l. to grow the first wild strawberries ever cultivated in orbit aboard the International Space Station.

Redwire’s Luxembourg operations also support debris capture and other on-orbit servicing applications.

Astrobiome Space will use a proprietary biostimulant developed from microbes adapted to extreme space environments to cultivate wild strawberries in Redwire’s Greenhouse aboard the ISS.

NASA astronaut Andre Douglas will serve as a mission specialist on Artemis III.

The Artemis III crew will begin training immediately on Orion systems.

Blue Origin’s lander pathfinder will launch first for Artemis III and can remain in orbit for multiple weeks.

The Artemis III crew will assist in development and operations of Blue Origin’s and SpaceX’s lander test articles.

The Artemis III crew will launch aboard NASA’s Space Launch System rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Artemis III is the first Artemis mission to assign an ESA astronaut to the crew.

Artemis III is a critical step toward Artemis IV, NASA’s first planned crewed landing at the lunar South Pole, which is set for 2028.

Orion will later rendezvous with SpaceX’s Starship pathfinder for approximately one day of docked checkout and testing.

Andre Douglas previously served as a backup and closeout crew member for Artemis II.

Randy Bresnik served as flight engineer and commander of ISS Expeditions 52 and 53.

NASA astronaut Frank Rubio will serve as a mission specialist on Artemis III.

All solid rocket booster segments for Artemis III are at Kennedy Space Center.