The International Space Station may be approaching the later stages of its operational life, but Europe’s pathway to low Earth orbit is far from closing. In fact, two of the leading contenders in the commercial space station race are deepening their presence on the continent in preparation for the next era of orbital activity.
This week, Vast and Axiom Space announced plans to establish new European offices in France and Switzerland, respectively. Both moves are aimed at strengthening relationships with governments, research institutions, and future commercial customers as competition intensifies for international space partnerships.
For Vast, the expansion comes with a notable milestone. The company’s agreement with the French government includes plans to fly two French astronauts on upcoming low Earth orbit missions, making Vast the first commercial space station developer to publicly commit astronaut placements aboard future private stations.
Under the arrangement, Thomas Pesquet will command the sixth private astronaut mission to the ISS, currently scheduled for next year and overseen by Vast. Meanwhile, Arnaud Prost is expected to serve as a flight test engineer on the inaugural crewed mission to Haven-1, also targeted for next year.
Why Europe matters
For international space companies, Europe offers a diverse landscape of opportunities. Different countries provide varying advantages in manufacturing, investment, talent pools, and regulatory frameworks, making location strategy increasingly important.
According to Vast CEO Max Haot, opening a French headquarters was a key component of the broader agreement that paved the way for French astronaut participation.
But the company sees the Paris office as more than a symbolic presence. It is intended to serve as a gateway for future international partnerships and government-backed missions.
Vast has already suggested that astronaut selections for upcoming flights may draw candidates from countries maintaining strong diplomatic ties with France. The company has also signed an agreement with the United Kingdom to explore the possibility of flying John McFall aboard Haven-1 alongside Prost.
Axiom chooses Switzerland
While Vast looked to France, Axiom Space selected Switzerland as its European base, citing a combination of geographic access and regulatory flexibility.
The country occupies a unique position within Europe. It is a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) while remaining outside the European Union, creating a distinctive environment for commercial space operations.
According to Axiom CEO and President Jonathan Cirtain, Switzerland’s non-EU status provides greater flexibility around export controls, procurement rules, and defense-related commercial activities, while ESA membership preserves access to scientific and research collaborations.
That combination, he noted, is difficult to find elsewhere on the continent.
At the same time, Cirtain acknowledged that Switzerland’s special status can introduce additional complexity when coordinating programs with EU member states. As a result, Axiom may consider expanding into other European countries as its regional operations grow.
“Switzerland is our initial entry into the European region,” he said. “We will continue to evaluate where additional regional presence might make sense over time.”
Chasing international funding and long-term viability
Although their strategies differ, both companies are pursuing the same fundamental objective: securing access to European funding streams, astronaut programs, and scientific research opportunities.
Building and operating private space stations is an extraordinarily expensive undertaking. While government support remains critical, long-term success depends on attracting paying customers, international missions, and commercial research contracts.
Both Vast and Axiom are competing for support through NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations (CLD) program, which aims to foster a new generation of privately operated orbital stations. However, those funds alone are unlikely to sustain profitable operations.
That reality makes international partnerships increasingly valuable. Axiom recently reinforced its financial position with an additional $175 million investment, but diversified revenue sources remain essential for both companies as they seek to build sustainable businesses beyond government contracts.
The expansion into Europe also highlights a growing feedback loop within the commercial space industry. Companies that demonstrate strong commercial demand often become more attractive candidates for public funding, while government-backed projects can help attract additional private customers.
Haot suggested that proving customers are willing to pay for flights aboard Haven-1 could strengthen Vast’s case for future NASA support, reinforcing the station’s credibility as a viable commercial destination.
Europe’s role in the private space station race
Neither Vast nor Axiom is pursuing this vision alone. Starlab Space, a joint venture involving Airbus, Voyager Technologies, and several other partners, is also competing within NASA’s CLD initiative.
Recognizing Europe’s strategic importance, Starlab established a European subsidiary in Germany in early 2025 and has built an international network of contributors that includes Space Applications Services in Belgium, MDA Space in Canada, and Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan.
As the ISS gradually approaches retirement, the race to build its commercial successors is becoming increasingly global. Europe, with its scientific expertise, funding resources, and astronaut programs, is emerging as a crucial battleground where future private space stations will seek not only customers, but long-term economic sustainability.
