FAA Gets Control Of Space Tourism
POSTED: 10:04 am EST December 9, 2004
Your vacation in outer space is a little closer to becoming a reality, rather than just science fiction.In the final minutes of the 108th Congress Wednesday night, the Senate approved a measure that would let the Federal Aviation Administration issue permits for space tourism.The permits would let private spacecraft operators carry paying passengers into space.The agency would also regulate an industry that has nearly come alive with successful flights of a privately-financed manned rocket over California in October. SpaceShipOne was designed by Burt Rutan and financed by Microsoft's Paul Allen.Some would-be space tour operators have announced plans to offer private space flights within several years. One of those is Virgin Galactic, which licensed SpaceShipOne's technology. Virgin is part of mogul Richard Branson's empire.Some wealthy thrill-seekers are already putting down deposits to reserve their seats.The measure has already passed the U.S. House, and now goes to President George W. Bush for his signature.
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