On October 31, 2014, Virgin Galactic Spaceship Two broke apart in flight during a test flight, fatally injuring the co-pilot. Virgin Galactic is attempting to be the first commercial flights to space. The cause of the crash seems to be pilot error. The aircraft had adjustable wings that were pointed to the back of the aircraft and moved to make the aircraft to more of an L shape for landing. The co-pilot pulled the lever around the same time the aircraft was breaking the sound barrier causing it to essentially disintegrate in air.
Space tourism is basically taking civilians into space for pleasure purposes. Russia has already accomplished it and planes to do it again in 2015. Even though Virgin Galactic had a major setback it will not stop the program. There does not seem to be any real time frame yet but there are still people holding onto their tickets.
There are a few regulations for tourists space flight but since it has not had a real impact yet the regulations are few. Basically the pilots need to be both physically and mentally qualified and the passengers need to be informed about the risks involved in space flight. The link below contains the FAA regulations for space tourism.
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/07/virgin-galactic-tragedy-revealed-spaceshiptwo-disaster
I do not see space tourism taking off at any point in the next 10 years and even then it will still be limited to a glimpse in space for the rich. We are a long way away from any type of routine space flight and do not believe it will happen in my lifetime.
The requirements to became an astronaut or fly in space aren't as high as most people might think. A bachelor degree is required and vision corrected to 20/20 and only 1,000 hours of PIC time in a jet aircraft are a few of the requarements. Skill does play a big part but like most jobs in aviation it will come down to who you know and not necessarily what you know.
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/human_space_flight_reqs/
Yes, I agree, the pilot requirements are much lower than I would think. Remember - we went from the Wright's to space flight in 60 years...so anything is possible.
ReplyDeleteI found the same minimum qualifications to work in the space tourism industry and I was kind of surprised. I thought they would be looking for the best educated and highly experienced workers in aviation and aerospace. But the qualifications are similar to airlines. They must be more interested in people with creativity and motivation than experience.
ReplyDeleteI agree that within the next 10 years space tourism may not be a popular thing, well not for the middle class. But I do think that maybe 20-30 years down the road it may just become something that anyone could afford to do.
ReplyDeleteI still cannot believe how low the requirements are to be a pilot for one of these companies. and i also agree that the idea of space tourism wont really hit for at least ten years probably longer (unfortunately).
ReplyDeletePilot requirements are incredibly low now but when the industry really takes off the requirements will be increased. Unfortunately this will either be due to accidents or complaints.
ReplyDeleteThe requirements to fly to space are low! Imagine if in one year in the reignals you could legally fly in space. I wounder how many hours the pilots applying for the job have?
ReplyDelete