Comments on: RIP HR 3752. Or not?

By: Neil Halelamien

Neil Halelamien — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 22:18:30 +0000

I believe there is still time for the appropriate legislative measures to be implemented. However Scaled Composites could still construct the vehicle and Mr. Branson could operate the business outside the U.S. if the government fails to support the industry.

ITAR?

By: Michael Mealling

Michael Mealling — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 02:59:07 +0000

I called my congressman anyway since he’s on the transportation committee…. couldn’t hurt.

By: Nathan Horsley

Nathan Horsley — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 01:59:37 +0000

While a clear statutory basis for manned launch licensing is a desirable goal in that it would make it easier for new companies to tailor their designs to the regs, the existing companies should be able to go ahead under the current regime. The fact is that even under a new regulation, the licenses are still going to have to be tailored to each individual craft and mission plan (or at least series of similar mission plans). Further, the new push to include passenger safety as a factor in licensing is very dangerous. While the newest compromise limits this to situations where there has already been an accident, this is at best a marginal gain for the launchers in terms of insurance availability and litigation risk.

Bottom line, given that the FAA AST is doing a pretty good job under the current regime, sending the legislators back to the drawing board is not so bad a thing, and wont even force launchers overseas.

By: Al Thompson

Al Thompson — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 01:02:20 +0000

The international community seems to be more receptive space commercialization policies. This market sector will eventually establish itself either way.

By: Philip Littrell

Philip Littrell — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 00:36:53 +0000

The dead bill would be a setback for the US, but not for other nations, eg. Russia.

If space tourism is a big success in other nations, it would put pressure on Congress to return to this issue. Competition between nations is a good thing.

Richard Branson is British, so he wouldn’t have any problems with basing Virgin Galactic outside the US.