Post by Bret Walker on Feb 14, 2005 12:31:13 GMT -5
MINETA ANNOUNCES PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR SPACE TRAVEL: Thursday, Feb. 10, at the 8th annual Commercial Space Transportation Conference here in Washington, Secretary {Norman} Mineta announced proposed guidelines for commercial space travel. www.dot.gov/affairs/dot2505.htm
“People who want to travel into space may be required to get a physical and would need to sign consent forms stating they understand the risks associated with launching into space,” the Secretary said.
The draft guidelines, written by FAA, also suggest that operators of reusable launch vehicles inform their passengers of the safety record of the vehicle they are using, and provide safety training before the launch.
“We’re not going to lose sight of safety,” Mineta said. But he noted “these guidelines for space tourism respect that this is uncharted territory,” adding they allow operators “to determine the best way to meet the standards.” As Administrator Blakey said in introducing the Secretary, “Congress has strongly indicated that we take a balanced approach and regulate with a light hand. With new activities come new risks, and commercial suborbital space flight is certainly a new activity.”
On Feb. 9, the Administrator testified before the House Aviation Subcommittee on commercial space transportation. Her prepared testimony can be found at www.faa.gov/Newsroom/testimony/2005/testimony_050209.htm
“People who want to travel into space may be required to get a physical and would need to sign consent forms stating they understand the risks associated with launching into space,” the Secretary said.
The draft guidelines, written by FAA, also suggest that operators of reusable launch vehicles inform their passengers of the safety record of the vehicle they are using, and provide safety training before the launch.
“We’re not going to lose sight of safety,” Mineta said. But he noted “these guidelines for space tourism respect that this is uncharted territory,” adding they allow operators “to determine the best way to meet the standards.” As Administrator Blakey said in introducing the Secretary, “Congress has strongly indicated that we take a balanced approach and regulate with a light hand. With new activities come new risks, and commercial suborbital space flight is certainly a new activity.”
On Feb. 9, the Administrator testified before the House Aviation Subcommittee on commercial space transportation. Her prepared testimony can be found at www.faa.gov/Newsroom/testimony/2005/testimony_050209.htm
