Nasa considers selling rocket trips to wealthy space tourists

Nasa is considering selling seats on the spacecraft that will ferry its astronauts to the International Space Station, offering rides to the public while opening another line of revenue as the agency attempts to broaden its appeal.

On several occasions, Russia has flown wealthy individuals who paid millions for the ride to space. And a trio of private companies backed by billionaires, is also looking to fly tourists out of the atmosphere.

But except for a couple of rare exceptions, such as Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who was killed when the space Shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986, Nasa has not allowed private citizens on its rockets.

“Just like in the early days of aviation, with barnstorming, these initial activities will help build the infrastructure and the foundation that can lead to future innovations that, frankly, we cannot imagine right now,” said Michael Gold, the general counsel of Maxar Technologies, who is leading the advisory council’s policy reform effort

The proposal, backed Friday by a Nasa advisory subcommittee, is still in the nascent stage, and is part of moves by the agency to better insert itself into the public consciousness by working with the private sector.

The proposals would have to be approved by the entire advisory council and then forwarded to Nasa Administrator Jim Bridenstine.