Private Spaceflight Law Shot Down

wiggles writes "MSNBC says that bill HR3752, which allows private, suborbital tourist flights, has died. We'll have to wait until next year for this one. According to the article, 'The bill would have put private-sector suborbital spaceflights on much firmer regulatory footing. It was approved overwhelmingly by the House back in March but languished in the Senate for months.'"

Mexico

[Golias]

If I'm President Vicente Fox, I've got dollar signs in my eyes right now.

Take a trip to Mazetlan, see the beautiful sights, enjoy some tequilla, and then fly into outer space as the highlight of your vacation!

Re:Won't happen, Pentagon won't allow it

[Golias]

Unless the public gets all in an uproar about this, I don't see this as happening. It could potential interfere with the US military's superiority in this field, and what the Pentagon wants, it gets. They have far, far, FAR more money available in their PR budget than private entrepreneurs (either individually or collectively) ever will, and the result will most likely be determined accordingly.

Right, because we have a vast fleet of military spaceships, and it's not like anybody could ever put a commercial satelite into orbit from a French-owned island near the Equator. We are the only country in the world who goes into space, and we only do so for military reasons.

Oh wait, I just remembered... None of that is true.

Re:Won't happen, Pentagon won't allow it

[revscat]

Right, because we have a vast fleet of military spaceships, and it's not like anybody could ever put a commercial satelite into orbit from a French-owned island near the Equator.

Of course none of that is true. But the Pentagon has the best means of accomplishing those things -- budgetary and expertise -- and they don't want any new kids on the block messing with their potential superiority. Further, they have repeatedly exhibited their hostility towards private space ventures, and with this administration's exclusive reliance upon Rumsfeld, I hold little to no hope that the good guys will come out on top.

It does open a bidding war

[CodeWanker]

among other countries. Brazil would love to add world's only commercial spaceport to its list of national trophies/tourist attractions. So would Malaysia. So would a ton of other countries. If we don't get this approved, we'll see a lot of tech and cash go elsewhere.

No tears yet

[Shihar]

My understand was that this bill was the beginings of regulating the private space industry. Personally, I see absolutely no loss if that is the case. I would rather leave the field upon and relativly unregulated other then getting a permit to go up until we have a better understanding as to how the industry is shaping up. Let the leaders take the risks and get out in front. If they want to throw their lives away, let that be their choice. The only time the government should step in, is to ensure that public safety is not in danger.

Re:Mexico

[Anonymous Coward]

it's entire actual stomach
it's mouth
it's little front feet
it's throat

"its".

Re:It does open a bidding war

[drinkypoo]

Not being equatorial, the USA isn't even in an ideal location for spaceflight, and it's not even possible to put a space elevator here. It's time for the US to wake up to the idea that it's going to be bypassed when it comes to the commercialization of space if it doesn't develop some compelling reason for it to be included. (I say it, but I do live here myself... I'm talking about the government I guess.) That means we need to build more technology and expertise, and that means we need to get into space commercialization as rapidly as possible. Here's hoping that we come to our collective senses and make it happen.

Re:why do we need the US's permission?

[InfiniteWisdom]

You don't need the US's permission to go to space. You need US permission to get there through US airspace.