JEFF BEZOS AND RICHARD BRANSON

ARE NOT ASTRONAUTS !

In a press release, the organization certainly recalls the conditions for obtaining the "wings" of an astronaut, in particular in terms of altitude reached and training. But the FAA adds that an astronaut is a "member of the crew", who participated in the piloting and "contributed to safety during space flight". It is therefore also necessary to have been responsible, during the flight, for activities "essential to public safety", or which "have contributed to the safety of manned space flights". The American administration therefore seems to want to recognize the difference between a Neil Armstrong and a Jeff Bezos: sitting in your seat enjoying the trip therefore does not count. As passengers on "tourist" flights, the two billionaires are excluded from the profession of "astronaut".

A possible honorary distinction

As mere passengers on their respective flights, it therefore seems that Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos cannot claim the title of astronaut. The FAA press release nonetheless mentions “honorary awards given on the basis of merit”. not denying the contribution of billionaires to the development of the space sector. However, the FAA recalls that it has full discretionary power over the attribution of these honorary “wings”. It will not be up to whoever financed a flight to declare himself an “astronaut”. Only the FAA gives their “wings” to passengers on American space flights, whether commercial or not.

All hope is therefore perhaps not lost for the two billionaires in space.