SpaceX to launch more private astronaut missions to ISS [Video]

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is planning to fly private crew missions to the International Space Station in partnership with a Calfornia-based startup, the two companies said on Thursday.

The missions are contingent on approval by NASA and involve the Vast startup, which also aims to launch the world’s first commercial space station as early as next year.

“Enabling payload and crewed missions to the ISS is a key part of Vast’s strategy, allowing us to further our collaboration with NASA and global space agencies,” Vast’s CEO Max Haot said in a statement, which did not provide a timeline.

SpaceX has previously flown three private missions to the orbital laboratory with Axiom Space and is preparing for a fourth.

It has also partnered with Polaris, a venture led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, for two orbital voyages, one of which featured the first spacewalk by non-professional astronauts.

Isaacman has been nominated by President-elect …