Space Tourism Safety Questioned in Wake of Sub Tragedy

Congress has permitted explorers some flexibility in an effort to not stifle discovery and the frontiers of deep sea and space, but the implosion of the OceanGate Expeditions' Titan might lead to some legislative restrictions.

This is particularly noteworthy as private space tourism is expanding outside of rocket companies Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and Space X.

"It's sort of an easy parallel to make," space lawyer Michelle Hanlon told Axios. "You're in a capsule with a window that is its weakest point, and you're going into an environment that is deadly."

When the sub was missing, it was noted there were more astronauts who had been to space than humans who have been to the depths of the ocean where the Titanic finally rested. Both frontiers are exciting for travel and tourism as much as they are dangerous.

Congress has prohibited the Federal Aviation Administration from regulating space tourism, leaving the private companies and the tourists to take their own risks and giving the industry the ability to get off the ground, proverbially speaking.

The space regulation pause expires this year, but stifling the industry remains a concern for those seeking to keep the regulatory shackles off, Axios reported.

"Just as there are concerns about too much government regulation killing industry, I think there should also be concerns about not enough regulations that lead to unsafe commercial practices killing an industry," Secure World Foundation's Brian Weeden told Axios.

Related Stories:

• When Wealthy Adventurers Take Huge Risks, Who Should Foot the Bill for Rescue Attempts?
• Titanic Tour Sub Had 'Potential Flaws,' Safety Concerns