US government to space tourists: You’re not astronauts
Bad new for Bezos and Branson
Future flights
If passengers on Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic vehicles aren’t deemed astronauts by the US government, it will be a blow to the egos of Branson and Bezos.
The outcome would be particularly galling for Bezos, whose rocket firm has mocked the credibility of its rival’s trips.
Blue Originsuggestedpassengers on Virgin Galactic’s Unitywill forever have asterisks alongside their names as they wouldn’t passthe “internationally recognized” altitude where space begins.
It looks as though Blue Origin customers will have an asterisk of their own.
HT —Eric Berger
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.
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