Astronaut Criteria Updated by the FAA: Who Qualifies?
Are Jeff Bezos and the crew that flew aboard Blue Origin's first manned mission astronauts? Maybe not, under the FAA's new astronaut criteria.
The agency released Order 8800.2 on July 20, the day that Bezos and three others rocketed above the Karman line, updating astronaut criteria. Under the new guidelines, to qualify for astronaut wings, a flight crew member must:
Meet the requirements for flight crew qualifications and training under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 460.
Demonstrate flight beyond 50 statute miles above the surface of the Earth as flight crew on an FAA/AST licensed or permitted launch or reentry vehicle.
Demonstrate activities during flight that were essential to public safety, or contributed to human space flight safety.
Under those guidelines, Sir Richard Branson may qualify as an astronaut because he was "evaluating the customer experience" for Virgin Galactic, and he obtained a pilot's license prior to the flight. Bezos and his fellow travelers, however, may not fulfil those requirements.
The new astronaut criteria order states that "In order to maintain the prestige of Commercial Space Astronaut Wings, the FAA may further refine the eligibility requirements at any time as it deems appropriate. Any updates to the eligibility will be recorded as a revision to this document."
So Bezos, his brother Mark, teenager Oliver Daemen and Wally Funk may be relegated to "honorary astronaut" status under the new astronaut criteria. Order 8800.2 states "There could be individuals whose contribution to commercial human space flight merits special recognition. The Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (AST-1) has total discretion regarding identifying and bestowing an FAA honorary award of Commercial Space Astronaut Wings to individuals who demonstrated extraordinary contribution or beneficial service to the commercial human space flight industry. These individuals receiving an honorary award may not be required to satisfy all eligibility requirements. The honorary award can be granted posthumously."
The order goes on to outline the nominating and selection process for astronaut wings, which would be presented by the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, a designated representative, or other presenter appointed by the FAA.
(Source: FAA. Image provided by Blue Origin)