DOT 25-05
Contact: Robert Johnson, Tel.: (202) 366-4570
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Secretary Mineta Announces Proposed Guidelines for Commercial Space Travel
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, according to new proposed federal guidelines for
commercial space travel announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y.
Mineta today.
The draft guidelines, written by the Federal Aviation Administration (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, Mineta said.
“We’re not going to lose sight of safety,” Mineta said during a speech to an
audience of aerospace supporters attending the FAA’s Commercial Space
Transportation Conference in Washington, D.C. 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.”
A second set of guidelines for flight crew members also has been developed,
Mineta said. Pilots of reusable launch vehicles would need to hold an FAA pilot
certificate, and meet medical standards.
They also should be trained to operate their vehicle so that it will not harm
the public, with emphasis on responding to abort scenarios, emergency operations
and procedures that direct the vehicle away from the public in the event of a
problem during flight, Mineta added.
Mineta called those involved in sub-orbital missions “daring adventurers” and
emphasized that the draft guidelines were “recognition of the developmental
state of the industry.”
He encouraged feedback on the guidelines and said his goal is to have this
fledgling industry succeed.
“We don’t want to stifle innovation when you may very well find an approach that
serves even better in the course of your design work,” Mineta said.
Officials with the FAA’s Space Transportation Office will present a detailed
explanation of the guidelines later in the conference.# # #
Briefing
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