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Vast, the company developing next-generation space stations, announced today that it has appointed Giorgio Saccoccia as President, Europe. Saccoccia will lead Vast’s presence in Europe, collaborating with European countries and space agencies on future human spaceflight and science missions with Vast, and strengthening their nations’ space leadership and national interests. He will also support Vast’s expansion internationally, outside Europe, and contribute to company strategy.
Saccoccia brings nearly 40 years of space agency leadership experience, including the presidency of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), and the Head of the Propulsion and Aerothermodynamics Division and the Special Advisor to the Director General at the European Space Agency (ESA). He has pioneered several aerospace milestones for Europe, especially in the field of propulsion while at ESA, leading R&D in advanced propulsion concepts for both spacecraft and launchers. At ASI, he was instrumental in growing Italian institutional space programs, resources, and strategy.
“Saccoccia’s expertise and heritage of leading important European spaceflight initiatives will be invaluable to Vast as we work with regional agencies on the next era of commercial space,” said Max Haot, CEO of Vast. “Advancing space exploration and habitation is a global endeavor, and we look forward to building strong, enduring partnerships with our European allies.”
“Vast’s approach to building next-generation space stations, using a hardware-rich stepping stone approach, is building confidence in our ability to deliver the world’s first commercial space station. It has also resonated with prospective customers and partners worldwide. I’m privileged to help lead and expand these ongoing relationships internationally,” added Saccoccia. “Shaping the next era of human spacelight with leaders like Vast is an exciting next chapter to my career.”
Saccocia is Vast’s first leader based in Europe and will continue to grow the team and expand Vast’s presence.
About Vast
Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030.
Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.
