It came down to the wire, but it finally made it: Congress Passes Space Tourism Bill

The final version allows the Federal Aviation Administration to begin issuing regulations to protect the safety of passengers and crew only eight years after the bill becomes law. Before then, the agency may restrict design features or operating practices only if they've resulted in a serious or fatal injury to passengers or crew, or caused an unsafe unplanned event...
The bill requires passengers to be informed of the risks involved, and the Federal Aviation Administration may issue regulations to protect the non-flying public's health and property and the country's national security and foreign policy interests.

It appears that alt.space now has an eight-year grace period in which to build up a real space tourism industry.

Posted by T.L. James on December 9, 2004 09:46 PM