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published photo, Getty Images
Bezos and the crew of his Blue Origin spacecraft may not receive certification that they qualify as astronauts
In a move that will prevent billionaire space explorers from becoming true astronauts, US authorities have placed further restrictions on the definition of the profession of “astronaut.”
New rules from the Federal Aviation Authority in the United States state that the astronaut is the person who plays a role as part of the flight crew in space, and helps ensure public safety during flight.
And these new additions made that definition inapplicable to Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson from the perspective of the US administration.
These changes are the first to be made to the Wings program to award the FAA astronaut title and badge, which began in 2004.
These changes to the rules of the “Wings Commercial Astronaut Program” were announced last Tuesday, coinciding with the launch of a rocket into space by Jeff Bezos, the famous billionaire and founder of Amazon, as part of the work of his company spatial, Blue Origine.
The administration requires a commercial astronaut or space traveler to fly 80 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, which Bezos and Branson have already achieved.
But regardless of the flight altitude, the new aviation rules state that potential astronauts must have a record that includes “necessary activities related to general in-flight safety and security, or activities that have contributed to the safety and security of a passenger flight in space “.
It is up to the Federal Authority to determine the activities provided for by the new regulatory changes.
The aviation authority said changes to the Wings program for commercial astronauts made the program more consistent with its role of protecting public safety during commercial spaceflight.
published photo, GALACTIC VIRGIN
Billionaire Richard Branson has returned from a test flight in space in preparation for commercial flights there next year
On July 11, Richard Branson traveled to space aboard his company’s Virgin Galactic 2 spacecraft as part of a test flight for customers to travel to space next year.
As for Bezos and the three crew members who accompanied him on the space trip aboard his company-owned ship, Blue Origin, it appears they are not strongly asking for the title of “astronaut.” and the corresponding badge. Just before take off, Blue Origin director Bob Smith said that “the passengers will not be doing anything in this autonomous vehicle.”
Those who want the title and badge of a commercial astronaut must also be nominated by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the rules that saw the new amendments. But an administration spokesperson told CNN that the administration is not considering any filed applications at this time.
There are two other ways to obtain the title of astronaut and the badge for that role, and these are through the United States Army or the United States Space Science Agency (NASA).
The wing badges that appeared in photos on Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson’s clothing during their space trips had been specially designed for them by their employer and had not been given to them by any official body.
Nonetheless, there is still a silver lining for Branson, Bezos, and others who dream of becoming an astronaut. The new rules include the ability to award honorary titles based on what people deserve in the industry, which will be at the discretion of the FAA Deputy Director.
The first wing badge awarded to astronauts dates back to the 1960s, awarded to astronauts Alan Shepard JR and Virgin Grissom for their participation in the Mercury 7 space program.
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