So are Bezos and Branson Astronauts?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

I'm okay with the honorary designation for B&B. Calling them astronauts would cheapen the accomplishments of those that came before them. They had to train for years (mentally, physically, scientifically) to go into space. They usually had backgrounds as test pilots or engineers. That background would come in handy if there were a problem while in space.

And has a few times. You are certainly correct with that thought. Who wants to fly to 60,000 feet with some jokers.

[Joe Bob]

It looks like the alphabets are going to change the parameters on what constitutes qualifies an Astronaut. They want to increase the height obtained but will allow "nominations" to status based on unclear parameters.

[Jolly Amaranto]

As long as *asterisks* and foot notes are included, I suppose it is Okay.

[Racerbvd]

[Eric Hahl]

Seems to me they were nothing more than passengers on an automated ride.

[dad911]

[TCracingCA]

The FAA Changed Its Definition of 'Astronaut' on the Same Day Jeff Bezos Went to Space
New FAA rules say Jeff Bezos doesn't qualify for its astronaut wings.
By
Shoshana Wodinsky

Jeff Bezos is a lot of things. A tax-dodging megalomaniac. A Dr. Evil lookalike. A weirdly horny cowboy hat enthusiast. The one thing he isn’t—at least as far as the Federal Aviation Administration is concerned—is an astronaut.

That’s according to a set of new guidelines that the federal agency issued on July 20, the same day Amazon’s ex-CEO briefly flew a dick-shaped space shuttle into the edge of space. Specifically, the updates concern the FAA’s Commercial Space Astronaut Wings Program, and the criteria used to award those commanding, piloting, or working on privately funded spacecraft with the coveted astronaut wings badge. And Bezos, as it turns out, just doesn’t make the cut.

First, aside from flying in a craft that meets the FAA’s basic standards, the guidelines state that candidates need to fly more than 50 miles above the Earth’s surface in order to qualify. Bezos actually met that bar during his flight—in fact, he went a full 62 miles above sea level. The main issue is that he didn’t really do much during that flight. In the past, we’ve seen these wings awarded to pilots, like those leading the 2004 SpaceShipOne flight and the SpaceShipTwo in 2018. A year after that, the first woman (and non-pilot) would be awarded her wings when the FAA gave a pair to Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor.

All of these figures actually did something on board; or as the FAA’s new guidance puts it, they “demonstrated activities during flight that were essential to public safety, or contributed to human space flight safety.” This is a new requirement for folks looking to get this badge of honor, and one that Bezos and his crew fall short of.

Because Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft was fully autonomous, there was nobody responsible for actively piloting the thing, nor anyone really performing any duties that were key to the crew’s “public safety.” Not only that, but the others that joined Bezos on New Shepard don’t even qualify as being members of the spacecraft’s “crew,” since the FAA defines that as employees or contractor’s associated with a company involved in the spacecraft’s launch.
This might be why Blue Origin already has its own winged pins ready to go for anyone taking a jaunt in its spacecraft. Bezos was among the first to be awarded these pins following New Shepard’s 10-minute flight to the edge of space, to the sound of thunderous applause (and a few “oooh’s” and “aaaah’s”) from all involved. Hey, at least this means Wally Funk finally got something.
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[Fast Freddy 944]

I guess my question to you guys, would you have gone up in that craft?

[Fast Freddy 944]

I think what crapped out the whole trip into space, what the Creepy speech, by the Van Jones nut cake right after they went in for interviews. I thougt to my self, "why is this wierd-o giving a oh poor me speech after something that was kinda of interesting." Wierd...

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by Fast Freddy 944

I guess my question to you guys, would you have gone up in that craft?

sure , why not, Bozo wouldn't have taken the ride and risk his multy billion dollar nett worth if it hadn't been thoroughly tested, so if a guy like that goes up, it's pretty sorted out and safe to go along.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Fast Freddy 944

I guess my question to you guys, would you have gone up in that craft?

Presumably, there had been some pre-testing. If so, then hell yes.

[speeder]

[island911]

Originally Posted by speeder

U LOVE the anti-US propaganda...

read this, and tell me where you will go for your "universal Healthcare"

https://selfcare.global/three-worst-healthcare-systems-in-the-world/

a snippet
"“Children are our future, and their mothers are its guardians. And yet, this year alone, more than half a million women will die in pregnancy or childbirth. Almost 11 million children will die before they reach the age of five — 4 million of them in the first month of life. Almost all these deaths will happen in developing countries. A large number of them could be prevented.” – Kofi Annan, former head of the UN"

But it's "Universal Healthcare"

[speeder]

If you don't know the difference between extremely rich western countries and the developing world, I really can't help you.

[berettafan]

You posted the map, not him. Own it.

[island911]

Originally Posted by speeder

If you don't know the difference between extremely rich western countries and the developing world, I really can't help you.

Well, one thing we know is the same for both poor and rich countries (according to your map)is that great 'Universal Healthcare"

Except the US. Bla... Who would ever want to go there for healthcare? It's not FREE like in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Life expectance of 58! And they do that on $32 per year per person. So dreamy. Universal and all.

But wait, there's more.. They have rockets too.

/sarc

[Fast Freddy 944]

Once they make it safer, I wouldnt be surprised to see it at a dizzy world or Six Flags amusment park. Now that would be the snitzle! Id go for a ride on it!

[flatbutt]

I'm not going unless I can have a go at zero G sex. At least then I'd have a great excuse for it not going so well.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I'm not going unless I can have a go at zero G sex. At least then I'd have a great excuse for it not going so well.

Hey they have about 4 minutes of weightless time. That's plenty of time!

[Seahawk]

Bezos and Branson are absolute pioneers. Those two are squeezing more out of life than 99% of the people walking erect. They won, and, in my mind, are experimenting with new ways of overcoming old engineering.

Good on them for getting in the seat.

I went to a private HS in South Carolina after moving from Cali with a LOT of rich kids, very rich kids, new SL450 in HS rich kids...think sons and daughters of Bezos and Branson Lite.

There was about a 50/50 spread between exotically f'd up off the chart and then talent along the lines of the regular Bell Curve.

BTW, conerning Universal Health Care, take out the commies and it gets interesting. I am looking to move to the former Soviet Republic since I have heard their knee surgeries just stopped involving leaches.