Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: would a private shuttle be licenced
Message-ID: <1989Apr14.212447.4524@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
References: <229@umigw.MIAMI.EDU>
Date: Fri, 14 Apr 89 21:24:47 GMT

In article <229@umigw.MIAMI.EDU> steve@umigw.miami.edu (steve emmerson) writes:
>.... if the shuttle program was privately funded, would it be licenced to fly?
>The national government requires most transportation systems to meet
>certain safety standards before they are granted a licence...

The space shuttle was, in fact, specifically exempted from this in early
development.  The issue was raised, the FAA said "we haven't the foggiest
idea what certification criteria to apply to a spaceplane", and by common
consent the matter was dropped.

>So, given the shuttle's safety record and estimated risk, would it be 
>licenced?

The real problem with this is that the shuttle's record simply is not
long enough.  Normal aircraft fly hundreds of times before certification
is seriously considered.

I'd guess that certification as an experimental vehicle should not be
a problem.  Approval for paying passengers might be more problematic.
-- 
Welcome to Mars!  Your         |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
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