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Regulations Could Delay or Prevent Space Tourism

schwit1 writes "This report explains how Virgin Galactic space tourists could be grounded by federal regulations. From the article: 'Virgin Galactic submitted an application to the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation in late August 2013, says Attenborough. The office, which goes by the acronym AST, has six months to review the application, meaning an approval may come as early as February. Industry experts, however, say that may be an overly optimistic projection. "An application will inevitably be approved, but it definitely remains uncertain exactly when it will happen," says Dirk Gibson, an associate professor of communication at the University of New Mexico and author of multiple books on space tourism. "This is extremely dangerous and unchartered territory. It's space travel. AST has to be very prudent," he says. "They don't want to endanger the space-farers or the public, and they can't let the industry get started and then have a Titanic-like scenario that puts an end to it all in the eyes of the public.""

5 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. Titanic by Spaham · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Oh, like the Titanic stopped boat traveling, right ?

    1. Re:Titanic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Hindenburg would have been a better example.

  2. Bullet meet foot by horm · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sounds like a good way to drive privatized space travel to another country.

  3. The Largest Gallery by SuperKendall · · Score: 5, Insightful

    An empty deadly vacuum is not that much of a destination, you know?

    It is when it's a gallery that holds one singularly fine blue object on full display.

    Plus, weightlessness.

    Frankly I don't agree with anything you are saying.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  4. Re:Certainly the government can make sure it's saf by Rockoon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    the day people stop clapping their hands just because the spacecraft takes off without blowing up on the launchpad.

    People clap because its fucking awesome.

    --
    "His name was James Damore."