NASA wants former astronauts to lead commercial missions to ISS

NASA wants former astronauts to lead commercial flights to the ISS. They then have to travel to and from the space station as mission commander. NASA published a policy proposal for this on Thursday.

Under the policy proposal, which has not yet been finalized, NASA reports that it is finalizing “a new requirement that a former U.S. NASA astronaut act as mission commander on upcoming private astronaut missions.” Such a former astronaut can provide “experienced guidance” to private astronauts during flight preparation and mission execution, according to the space agency.

This requirement should increase passenger safety and also reduce risks to the operation of the International Space Station. The new policy proposal would also give space tourists longer time to prepare for a flight to the ISS. In addition, new medical requirements would apply to private astronauts, among other things.

NASA makes the policy proposals based on “lessons learned” the organization has learned after completing the first private flight to the ISS. That commercial flight took place in April. Axiom Space space tourists each paid $55 million to fly to the ISS and work on their own research in space. That mission was already led by a former NASA astronaut, Michael López-Alegría. Axiom previously considered conducting future missions without a professional astronaut on board, also writes Engadget. NASA’s new policy would presumably forbid that. Later this year, Axiom Space will conduct another commercial Ax-2 mission to the ISS. Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson leads that flight.