Friday, December 30, 2005
04:13 PM
just in time for the future --2006!

FAA releases space tourism regulations: "Xeni Jardin:

Ladies and gentlemen, you are now free to float around the cabin. Snip from AP story:

More than 120 pages of proposed rules, released by the government Thursday, regulate the future of space tourism. This don't-forget list touches on everything from passenger medical standards to preflight training for the crew.

Before taking a trip that literally is out of this world, companies would be required to inform the 'space flight participant' — known in more earthly settings as simply a passenger — of the risks. Passengers also would be required to provide written consent before boarding a vehicle for takeoff.

Legislation signed a year ago by President Bush and designed to help the space industry flourish prohibits the Federal Aviation Administration from issuing safety regulations for passengers and crew for eight years, unless specific design features or operating practices cause a serious or fatal injury.

Link to full text of news story. The document released by the FAA today includes a mandate that physical exams be recommended but not required, and a requirement that all passengers receive emergency training. Here's a PDF link, and a final set of regulations is expected in late June, 2006. (Thanks, Jeff)

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(Via Boing Boing.)