Improved Clinch

Spaced, Out

The initial buzz surrounding Burt Rutan’s SpaceShipOne has faded from the air, as quickly as the initial space flight itself. I know Time magazine didn’t think much of it, they gave the event a whole 198 words, and titled the piece “Space Toy." Though I didn’t post on the initial flight, I followed the news reports regarding the flight, and noted the hopes associated with this accomplishment.

This morning, I read a post written by Mike Soja, at No Treason, which makes me think that Time’s “Space Toy” dismissal of the event, may be closer to reality than I initially thought. From Mike’s post.

"Asked last week when he’d start accepting paying passengers for his now-proven SpaceShipOne, [Rutan’s] answer was essentially “never”— because it might cost upwards of $200 million to get the ship certified for passengers by the FAA.

Not without reason, folks in the space travel industry cite the near-extinction of the general aviation business in the name of “safety.” Until Congress intervened, lawsuits drove manufacturers out of the business, leaving enthusiasts less safe because they were stuck flying aircraft that had been built and certified 50 years earlier."

$200 million for a certificate. Ladies and gentlemen, the line forms to the left.

Mike’s post is titled “More benefits of the state… “

Posted by on 07/01 at 04:38 AM