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FAA proposes rules for space odysseys

California businessman Dennis Tito became the world's first space tourist when he rode a Soyuz capsule to the International Space Station in 2001. (File/Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Darlene Superville Associated Press
California businessman Dennis Tito became the world's first space tourist when he rode a Soyuz capsule to the International Space Station in 2001. (File/Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

WASHINGTON – Thinking of spending that next vacation on the moon or Mars, or circling the Earth? Before liftoff, there’s a list of things the would-be “space flight participant” should know.

More than 120 pages of proposed rules, released by the government Thursday, regulate the future of space tourism, touching on everything from passenger medical standards to preflight training.

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 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 at the outset without too much government interference requires the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a “phased approach” to regulating commercial human space flights.

Proposed Thursday, the first set of regulations – dealing with crew qualifications and training and informed consent for passengers – is expected to go into effect next June. Some other safety-related rules cannot by law be issued for eight years, unless specific design features or operating practices are questioned as a result of an incident causing serious injuries or a fatality.

“This means that the FAA has to wait for harm to occur or almost occur before it can impose restrictions, even against foreseeable harm,” the proposal says.

Physical exams for passengers are recommended, but will not be required, “unless a clear public safety need is identified,” the FAA says in the proposed regulations.

Passengers also would have to be trained to respond during emergencies – including fire, smoke and loss of cabin pressure – and to get out of the vehicle safely.

Pilots, meanwhile, must have an FAA pilot certificate and be able to show they know how to operate the vehicle. Student or sport pilot licenses would not qualify.

The legislation Bush signed directed the FAA to come up with rules to regulate the commercial space-flight industry, which has been slowly getting off the ground.

The 123-page proposal was published in the Federal Register, the government’s publication of rules and regulations. It will be subject to public comment through Feb. 27. Final regulations are expected by June 23.