Czech astronaut Aleš Svoboda to become first Czech to fly to the ISS

Aleš Svoboda is set to become the first Czech astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), most likely in the second half of 2027. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced on Monday.

The mission follows an agreement on the implementation of a Czech orbital mission to the ISS signed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the company Vast.

Speaking at an event at Prague Planetarium on Monday, Babiš said that Svoboda is expected not only to take part in the mission but also to pilot a Dragon spacecraft operated by the US company SpaceX. The spacecraft will be launched into Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

The role would further enhance the significance of the mission for the Czech Republic, as only around 20 people worldwide have experience piloting a Dragon spacecraft.

Prime Minister Babiš said that Svoboda’s mission represents a major opportunity for Czech scientists, universities and companies to contribute to the development of technologies that could find applications in industry, healthcare and other key sectors.