NASA does not take commercial spaceflight lightly. Since Axiom Space’s first private mission launched on April 6, 2022 to the ISS, tourist flights will gradually increase. Nevertheless, the American space agency plans to tighten its rules in order to strengthen the safety of tourists and the International Space Station herself. Besides, Russia won’t leave the ISS until 2028.
The American space agency has published a notice in which it details thatan experienced astronaut will have to accompany space tourists. For companies like Axiom, this is obviously not good news as they will have to reduce the number of places paid by tourists. One will always have to be reserved for an astronaut who will ensure the smooth running of the flight, from takeoff to landing, including docking with the International Space Station.
Astronauts aboard private commercial flights will ensure safe travel
The new NASA rules are not yet finalized, but they are intended to keep passengers safe and not interfere with operations aboard the ISS. Even if he only has a few more years to live before crashing into the Pacific Ocean in 2031the ISS is above all a scientific research station.
NASA explains that an experienced astronaut on board commercial flights will be able to provide ” experienced guidance to private astronauts during pre-flight preparation through to mission execution “. In addition to this new rule, the US space agency is also planning changes for private research projects and medical standards for private astronauts. It also plans to give private astronauts extra time to adjust to microgravity.
This decision by NASA was made following the ” lessons learned during the Axiom Space flight in April. The passengers had each paid 55 million dollars for a place on board the ISS. According to the agency, this private mission impacted both the crew of the ISS and that of Axiom. There was already a former astronaut on board this flight, but Axiom planned to carry out the next space flights without an astronaut in order to free up a place for an additional paying tourist. This will ultimately not be possible following NASA’s new rules.
Source : Engadget