NASA has opened a new call for proposals for private astronaut missions (PAMs) to the International Space Station, allowing missions to be commanded by non-NASA astronauts.

The latest solicitation, announced on April 2, 2024, is for the fifth and sixth PAMs, part of NASA’s plan to commercialize low Earth orbit.

While the previous rules required the commander to be a former NASA astronaut with ISS experience, the new proposal allows for commanders from the Canadian Space Agency, European Space Agency, or Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, provided they meet similar experience requirements.

This change could give commercial spaceflight companies like Axiom Space a chance to use astronauts like Tim Peake (ESA) or Koichi Wakata (JAXA) as mission commanders.

The competition for these missions is expected to increase, with other companies like Vast also planning to submit proposals, Space News has reported.

PAM 5 is expected in May 2026, with PAM 6 slated for mid-2027.

Written by B.C. Begley