Washington, D.C. – The Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, made a significant statement regarding the qualifications of individuals who travel to space. In a recent post on social media, Secretary Duffy emphasized that the crewmembers of the recent Blue Origin flight do not meet the criteria set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to be classified as astronauts.
According to the FAA guidelines, individuals who travel into space must have demonstrated activities during flight that contribute to public safety or human space flight safety. While acknowledging the bravery of the Blue Origin crew, Secretary Duffy clarified that they do not align with the FAA astronaut criteria. This declaration sheds light on the FAA’s role in defining astronaut status for suborbital flights.
The FAA, under the leadership of Secretary Duffy, has previously stated that it does not designate anyone as an astronaut and does not establish a specific boundary for where space begins. The agency’s decision to no longer issue “Astronaut Wings” reflects the evolving landscape of commercial space tourism.
The Astronaut Wings program, initiated in 2004 to recognize significant spaceflight achievements, acknowledged individuals who reached certain altitude milestones. However, in December 2021, the FAA shifted its approach to recognize individuals who reach space by listing them on its website instead of issuing physical wings. This change aligns with the increasing accessibility of space travel in the commercial sector.
Secretary Duffy’s comments bring attention to the evolving definitions and criteria surrounding astronaut status in the era of commercial space exploration. By clarifying the FAA’s position on astronaut qualifications, he prompts discussions on how to distinguish between space tourists and professional astronauts in a rapidly advancing industry.