UAE astronauts could be first crew of new space station project

Opportunities emerging as International Space Station nears retirement

Vast Space's Haven-2 could replace the International Space Station once it retires. Photo: Vast Space

UAE astronauts could make up the “ideal first crew” of a major new commercial space station project, as private companies negotiate for positions in the emerging markets.

One such company, Vast Space, has unveiled plans to develop two space stations in low-Earth orbit: Haven-1, a commercial outpost, and Haven-2, which could serve as a potential replacement for the International Space Station.

The California-based company is also bidding for a coveted Nasa programme called the Private Astronaut Mission. If successful, it could secure seats on SpaceX rockets for two missions to the ISS before its retirement at the end of the decade.

These seats could then be sold to nations like the UAE or Saudi Arabia, which have astronaut programmes but lack independent launch capabilities. The Emirates is considered a crucial customer base for the company, Max Haot, chief executive of Vast Space, told The National.

“It’s the best way to demonstrate to Nasa our credibility if we work with other nations,” Mr Haot said at the Abu Dhabi Space Debate this week. “We are so excited about how serious the UAE is and how developed its human space flight programme is. If we think about our ideal first crew for Haven-1, our number one goal is sovereign nations, and, obviously, the UAE is one.”

A rendering of the Haven-1 commercial station by Vast Space. Photo: Vast Space

A changing sector

Vast Space faces stiff competition, however, with Houston-based Axiom Space having a similar business model and a head start in the market. It is also developing a replacement station for the ISS and has successfully launched three private missions. Last year, it sent two Saudi astronauts to the ISS through the PAM programme.

The UAE has also partnered with Axiom Space before, securing a seat for Dr Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, on a six-month mission to the ISS last year.

“The rumours are that there will be at least two more private flights. We hope the first will be in 2026 and another in 2027, and we’re going to compete for both,” said Mr Haot. “No one knows if there will be more after that. Some people believe these might be the last private opportunities to the ISS.”

As the station enters its final years, a new era of space exploration is unfolding. Government agencies are focusing on Moon and Mars missions, leaving the commercialisation of low-Earth orbit to private companies. This shift has prompted several firms, including Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin and Voyager Space, to announce plans for space stations.

Vast Space aims to stand out by launching Haven-1 “as fast as possible,” Mr Haot said, to demonstrate the company’s operational capability and earn the trust of Nasa and other potential customers. “We are on track with our plan to launch it before the end of next year,” he said.

How ambitious is the UAE's space programme?

With the ISS set to retire by the end of the decade, commercial stations will play a critical role in maintaining a human presence in low-Earth orbit. This is particularly important for the UAE, which has sent two astronauts to the ISS and aims to launch missions every three to five years.

Access to the ISS has been limited for non-partner nations, making it challenging for countries to secure long-term missions. The UAE overcame this hurdle by partnering with Nasa, enabling a six-month mission it secured through Axiom for Dr Al Neyadi.

The country is also funding and developing an airlock module for Nasa's Gateway, a planned lunar-orbiting station. In exchange, it would send an Emirati to the Gateway on a future flight.

Salem Al Marri, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, shared the UAE’s ambitions during the Abu Dhabi Space Debate. He also revealed continuing discussions with Saudi Arabia about collaborative missions.

“Our discussions were that they have a very capable group of four astronauts, and we have a corps of four astronauts,” said Mr Al Marri. “One thing we can do is collaborative visits through joint programmes.”

Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni joined Dr Al Neyadi aboard the ISS for eight days last April.

The UAE’s astronaut corps includes Hazza Al Mansouri, the country’s first astronaut in space, as well as Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla, who have completed Nasa’s basic training. Saudi Arabia’s astronaut corps includes Mariam Fardous and Ali Al-Ghamdi.