Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Private Spaceflight Law Shot Down

Posted by michael on from the falling-down-on-new-jersey dept.

wiggles writes "MSNBC says that bill HR3752, which allows private, suborbital tourist flights, has died. We'll have to wait until next year for this one. According to the article, 'The bill would have put private-sector suborbital spaceflights on much firmer regulatory footing. It was approved overwhelmingly by the House back in March but languished in the Senate for months.'"

7 of 50 comments (clear)

  1. Mexico by Golias · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If I'm President Vicente Fox, I've got dollar signs in my eyes right now.

    Take a trip to Mazetlan, see the beautiful sights, enjoy some tequilla, and then fly into outer space as the highlight of your vacation!

    --

    Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

    1. Re:Mexico by Golias · · Score: 5, Interesting

      That reminds me of a funny (somewhat apocraphal) space-flight puking story.

      For one NASA flight, a frog was brought along on a mission for research testing, and as soon as they entered a zero-G environment, the frog not only puked, but actually inverted it's entire actual stomach outside of it's mouth, wiped the stomach walls clean with it's little front feet in a frenzied panic, and then shoved the stomache back down it's throat. After that, the it was fine.

      There have been many times, particularilly after drinking tequila, in which I wished I was capable of doing that.

      --

      Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

  2. It does open a bidding war by CodeWanker · · Score: 3, Insightful

    among other countries. Brazil would love to add world's only commercial spaceport to its list of national trophies/tourist attractions. So would Malaysia. So would a ton of other countries. If we don't get this approved, we'll see a lot of tech and cash go elsewhere.

    --


    "Wow. Now THAT'S a lot of angry Indians." - Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer
  3. why do we need the US's permission? by sevinkey · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Since when was space the 51st state? And if so, since when has there been a state that I can't go to as a citizen?

    If I was looking to make money off of this, I'd go to Canada or Mexico, start sending people out into space, and make millions while the whole thing gets fought out in court, generating millions of dollars worth of free advertising. I'd probably end up selling the company before a decision ever comes around, and go live in Costa Rica.

    What's the US gonna do, shoot down passenger space craft just because congress can't get a bill through? Talk about a PR nightmare!

    1. Re:why do we need the US's permission? by InfiniteWisdom · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You don't need the US's permission to go to space. You need US permission to get there through US airspace.

  4. No tears yet by Shihar · · Score: 3, Insightful

    My understand was that this bill was the beginings of regulating the private space industry. Personally, I see absolutely no loss if that is the case. I would rather leave the field upon and relativly unregulated other then getting a permit to go up until we have a better understanding as to how the industry is shaping up. Let the leaders take the risks and get out in front. If they want to throw their lives away, let that be their choice. The only time the government should step in, is to ensure that public safety is not in danger.

  5. Re:This is nonsense by learn+fast · · Score: 4, Informative

    "There are no laws preventing commercial space flight."

    No, it's been regulated by the FAA since 1991. This bill would have just changed the regulations a bit. In any event this is still suborbital flight we're talking about.