Regulations and Government
FAA issues final regulations governing private spaceflight
For many years, companies such as Space Expeditions, Space Adventures and even some airlines have been seriously talking about lofting paying passengers in

For many years, companies such as Space Expeditions, Space Adventures and even some airlines have been seriously talking about lofting paying passengers into space on privately operated (non-governmental) vehicles. When Burt Rutan’s SpaceShipOne won the X-Prize on Oct. 5, 2004, it dawned on people that this idea was a real near-term probability.

First there was the matter of technological capability: was it possible? Liability and regulation are also critical pieces of the puzzle. Many feared that it would be regulations, rather than technological limitations, that would keep eager paying passengers in gravity’s shackles.