Space tourists will be required to undergo security checks similar to those for airline passengers to ensure that they do not pose a terrorist threat, according to a draft regulation recently issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The proposals in the draft aim to prevent a terrorist from sabotaging a spacecraft or using it as a weapon. However, the report does not outline strict health regulations for those wishing to travel to space.
The FAA also recommends that space tourism organizations review the global “no-fly” lists to eliminate potential terrorists.
According to the FAA, companies should provide tourists with safety advice, including the number of flights that have taken off and the types of malfunctions that the spacecraft may encounter. Additionally, tourists should be trained to handle emergency situations such as cabin depressurization or a fire.
The community is hopeful that the FAA will publish the official regulations before June 2006.
T. An (according to BBC)
