As the space tourism market takes more and more space in the space media space, NASA has asked to regulate things a little. In what many observers call the new Wild West, space seems to be the perfect playground for adventure-starved billionaires.
Like Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, these people spend lavishly to fulfill their childhood dreams. But getting into space is not easy. If the jumps over the Karman line of Blue Origin does not yet require training or special physical abilities, the development of space tourism raises the question of the very definition of the astronaut.
In order to make the difference between these trained, experienced people and simple billionaires in need of adrenaline, NASA wants retired astronauts to act as “guides” and “instructors” for tourists who are likely to visit the ISS in the next few years.
More than a request, NASA might force retired astronauts to return to service. The idea is to ensure the safety of tourists on board the ISS during their stay. In a recent report on the matter, the US space agency called for private astronauts to have more training time but also meet a few physical criteria.
If it is not yet compulsory, the medical examination might be part of the routine of the next tourists to the ISS. NASA draws these conclusions from the last mission of the “Axiom flight” as it calls it itself. During this mission in partnership with SpaceX, the company Axiom Space sent 4 people to the ISS to discover micro-gravity.
This mission was led by a former professional NASA astronaut, Michael López-Alegría. Today he works for Axiom Space as chief astronaut. It was therefore he who assumed this famous role of “instructor” during the first private mission to the ISS.
A few months ago, the Russians did the same thing. While a film crew was on its way to the International Space Station, it had been accompanied by a professional cosmonaut, capable of responding to four seconds in the event of a technical problem within the very reliable Soyuz.
