Starting in January, space tourists will not receive a participation trophy for flying to space. But everyone will be on the honor roll.
The changes will help the F.A.A. avoid the potentially awkward position of proclaiming that some space tourists are only passengers, not astronauts.
The advent of space tourism, and especially the F.A.A.’s new rules, sparked debate over who can be called an astronaut.
But future space tourists should not despair a lack of post-flight flair. Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and SpaceX have each presented paying and guest passengers with custom-designed wings.
Adults. With a lot of money. Go on a space flight. As passengers. Then want to be called astronauts. What?
