Leaders of US organisations planning to develop and operate suborbital craft for space tourism plan to establish the Voluntary Personal Spaceflight Industry Consensus Standards Organisation to develop industry standards to comply with the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004.
The Act was passed to provide for the safety of the public through launch licensing and establish industry standards for passenger and crew safety, medical requirements and training. In a statement released through the X-Prize organisation, potential space tourism providers say they believe that adherence to new and rigorous safety standards that "go beyond the letter of the law" will be essential to promote safety and industry growth.
Draft US Federal Aviation Administration guidelines released last week say prospective space tourists "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 agency, which is inviting feedback on its proposals, also suggests that operator
TIM FURNISS / LONDON
Source: Flight International