Next month, Jeff Bezos plans to join the small band of tourists who have flown in space. For now, they aren't protected by the federal safety rules that govern commercial air travel.
When Jeff Bezos climbs into the New Shepard capsule for its first passenger trip to space next month, his safety will be almost entirely in the hands of the spaceflight company he founded two decades ago.as the emerging industry prepares to launch hundreds of people aloft. For now, they aren’t protected by the meticulous federal safety regulations that govern commercial air travel.
Passengers planning a ride on the New Shepard must sign a form waiving their right to sue Mr. Bezos’s Blue Origin LLC in the event of an accident. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc., which plans to send paying passengers on its space plane as early as next year, requires a similar step. Congress agreed in 2004 to let the space-tourism industry self-regulate to speed its preparations for passenger flights. Years of delays, includinga Virgin Galactic test pilot in 2014, have pushed back the start of flights for fare-paying passengers. The policy has been extended several times and now runs until October 2023.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s jurisdiction is limited to protecting public safety and the environment during launches and re-entries, a spokesman for the agency said. “Congress has not allowed the FAA to extend its authority to the safety of crew or space flight participants,” the spokesman said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jeff Bezos And The Other Billionaire Space CowboysThe Amazon founder is heading to space in July. He isn't the first billionaire astronaut, and he won't be the last, but he will be the first to bring his own spaceship.
Read more »
Jeff Bezos And The Other Billionaire Space CowboysThe Amazon founder is heading to space in July. He isn't the first billionaire astronaut, and he won't be the last, but he will be the first to bring his own spaceship.
Read more »
Jeff Bezos And The Other Billionaire Space CowboysThe Amazon founder is heading to space in July. He isn't the first billionaire astronaut, and he won't be the last, but he will be the first to bring his own spaceship.
Read more »
Sen. Elizabeth Warren Rips Jeff Bezos for Trip to SpaceSen. Elizabeth Warren rips Jeff Bezos over his upcoming trip to space.
Read more »
Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk on list of super rich accused of avoiding income taxThe FBI and tax authorities are both investigating the leak, which a White House spokesperson described as 'illegal'. The list also includes George Soros, Michael Bloomberg and more.
Read more »
Jeff Bezos Is Finally Leaving EarthNext month, the billionaire will take his first trip to space. Hurrah!
Read more »