Flying into space may be an out-of-this-world experience, but future space tourists are likely to endure the same security examinations that face passengers taking airplane flights.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released proposed regulations for space tourism operators last week. One suggestion is that passengers undergo security screenings before they board the spacecraft.
On aeroplanes, passengers are screened for explosives, firearms, knives and other potential weapons to reduce the risk of hijack. Space tourism companies could also consult the US Transportation Security Administration鈥檚 (TSA) 鈥渘o-fly鈥� list before allowing passengers to board.
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Rocketplane Limited, a would-be space tourism company, plans to launch suborbital flights for tourists in a vehicle that takes off and lands like a business jet. John Herrington, director of flight systems at Rocketplane, says that with two to three passengers per flight, pilots and flight operators could screen their customers well before the flight.
鈥淐ertainly from my perspective 鈥� I鈥檓 flying the vehicle 鈥� I want to know who鈥檚 flying behind me,鈥� Herrington told New 杏吧原创. 鈥淲e really want to know what the mental state of this participant is.鈥� Rocketplane is working toward its first test flight in early 2007.
Taking the wheel
But the proposed rules do not cover all of the possible space tourism experiences. For instance, Rocketplane is also considering whether to allow premium-paying passengers to take control of the spacecraft at some point in the flight. 鈥淧eople out there want to do it,鈥� says Herrington, a former shuttle astronaut. 鈥淲e need to figure out whether we want them to do it.鈥�
That possibility is not addressed in the proposed FAA regulations but, overall, Herrington says he is pleased with the work.
The FAA is also seeking the opinion of the public, and people can submit suggestions up until 27 February 2006. Some comments already logged on the website show other concerns.
David Deutsch of Cairo, Georgia, US, is concerned that spacewalks (or Extra-Vehicular Activities) were not mentioned in the document. 鈥淎 passenger on an EVA operation can easily decide to throw something at Earth that might pose public risk,鈥� he wrote to the FAA. 鈥淚 would suggest fines and penalties for leaving uncontrolled satellites.鈥�
The Wright stuff
Pilots of these spacecraft may be required to have both commercial pilot鈥檚 licenses and instrument licenses, according to the document.
鈥淥rville and Wilbur Wright did not have pilot licenses, yet they did just fine,鈥� writes Dennis Dupuis of North Hampton, New Hampshire, US. 鈥淭hey just failed their way to success, trying whatever they thought might work. Luckily, the government was not there to hinder their progress!鈥�
After the public comment period ends, the FAA will consider the comments and prepare final rules. Congress has required that the document be finished by June 2006.
