Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson not yet astronauts, US says

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson not yet astronauts, US says

24 July 2021

In a move that pours cold water on the dreams of a few billionaire space explorers, the US has tightened its definition of the word "astronaut".

New Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules say astronaut hopefuls must be part of the flight crew and make contributions to space flight safety.

That means Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson may not yet be astronauts in the eyes of the US government.

These are the first changes since the FAA wings programme began in 2004.

The Commercial Astronaut Wings programme updates were announced on Tuesday - the same day that Amazon's Mr Bezos flew aboard a Blue Origin rocket to the edge of space.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57950149

[Aviation Pro]

1. Just like pax flying commercial are not certificated

As pilots just because they sit in a seat.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. The trouble is that this would mean Wally Funk isn't an astronaut either yet

I'd hope someone will nominate her, and this is used to make her the special case among those who just went up:

"The new order notes that honorary awards can be given based on merit - at the discretion of the FAA's associate administrator."

Given her contribution to early astronaut testing, I think a case could be made. She had the skill to fly Mercury, after all.

[NCjack]

3. No problem. They will go again. Each of them will do something.

Push the buttons that check the backup operation of the headlights. Chew some gum and measure the size of bubbles they can blow -- compare to the size back on Earth.

[samnsara]

4. please dont take this away from me

..this was a wonderful distraction and they are more of an astronaut that I am..

[tanyev]

5. How about asstronauts?

Maybe only Bezos deserves that--I don't know.

[Ilsa]

6. LOL!!! nt