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Space Tourist Standards

Posted by michael on from the thrifty-brave-clean-and-reverent dept.

Snuffleupagus writes: "I found an interesting story at cnn.com about NASA's new standards for civilian space travel. It looks like if you have a history of drinking, lying and cheating you won't be going into space anytime soon, no matter how much money you have. Looks like I'll be stuck here on Earth for awhile." The guidelines for future space tourists are on NASA's site.

9 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. The Future by Toby+Truman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This applies just to the space station, it seems, not to space in general. The thing to remember is that NASA has no real authority over space -- It's just space, it doesn't belong to anyone. They *do* have authority, however, over the facilities that we put into space, so they get to call the shots on the space station.

    --


    Technical Writer?

    1. Re:The Future by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      please correct that further... They can control the United states modules of the ISS. The Russians would get mighty pissed if the US space angency tries to tell them what they can do with their property...

      This really only amounts to someone in NASA trying to justify their job and trying to make policy that is pretty much silly and un-warrented.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    2. Re:The Future by CrazyBrett · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The thing to remember is that NASA has no real authority over space -- It's just space, it doesn't belong to anyone.

      I remember when we used to say that about the internet too.

      Give it time.

  2. Yep... These won't change... by FortKnox · · Score: 3, Insightful

    These are the kind of rules that will never change

    Come on. By the time you and I get into space (if we aren't too old), these rules will be changed over 100 times. Think about it.

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    Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
    1. Re:Yep... These won't change... by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Well, of course. By the time you and I get in to space, the rules will have to have been changed. Otherwise we wouldn't be there. See?

      --

      How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
  3. NASA != Space by seanellis · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Subject line says it all, really.

    Commercial spacelines wouldn't be using NASA facilities anyway; they're too expensive.

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    Sean Ellis
    Follow OfQuack's antics on Twitter.
  4. Re:Who then? by chinton · · Score: 3, Insightful
    If I had bill gates $, i'd be philanthropic.. I'd just be extremely careful how that money is spent.

    Yeah, cause good ol' Bill isn't philanthropic enough...

  5. Yes, another crazy idea by mrroot · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I wonder how much additional money it would generate if the govt had a "lottery" for space travel instead of a you-pay-you-go type thing. I bet they could work it out to generate alot more money per space tourist that way, while giving us ordinary citizens a chance to go.

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    I Heart Sorting Networks
  6. Oh please... by joto · · Score: 3, Insightful
    This is just like the requirements for a basic security clearance. It's not like you can't ever have tasted alcohol (few responsible people haven't).

    They look up your police records and military records, interview you, and some of your (earlier) employers, family, and so on, to try to determine if you are a responsible person. If you aren't, then they won't risk the lives of other astronauts, important space research, huge amounts of money, etc, just to get you into space.

    This is nothing but common sence. You shouldn't trust untrustworthy people. I fail to see the logic behind allowing Osama bin Laden on the space shuttle just because he has enough money.