Significance and Use
3.1 In keeping with 1.1, commercial human spaceflight companies should follow the guidelines recommended by this document. These guidelines may be tailored to fit each company's specific spaceflight systems, operational procedures, safety standards, and risk profiles.
3.2 Companies currently are required under Title 51 USC § 50905(b) (5) to inform spaceflight participants about the mission-related risk, but the specific risk of certain medical conditions has yet to be determined. The SFP medical standards and guidelines in this guide shall be considered the minimum recommended, and governmental agencies and operators have the option for additional medical and operational constraints.
Scope
1.1 This guide provides a consensus set of Space Flight Participant (SFP) acceptance guidelines that will serve as advice to commercial human spaceflight operators as they develop their own medical programs for suborbital flights.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 FAA regulatory authority: In 2004 Congress granted the FAA the authority to oversee the safety of the emerging commercial human space flight industry, but limited its rulemaking authority. To ensure the industry had an ample learning period to develop and innovate, Congress prohibited the FAA from issuing any regulations governing the design or operation of a launch vehicle intended to protect the health and safety of crew and space flight participants unless there was a death, serious injury, or close call. The original prohibition expired in 2012, but Congress extended it to 2015, then extended it again to 2016, and finally to October 1, 2023. SFP medical requirements are not under the Amendments Act of 2004 current moratorium that will expire in 2023.
The Secretary of the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has authority to issue regulations regarding SFP medical requirements under Title 51 USC § 50905 (b) (6):
(A) The Secretary may issue regulations requiring space flight participants to undergo an appropriate physical examination prior to a launch or reentry under this chapter. This subparagraph shall cease to be in effect three years after the date of enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004.
(B) The Secretary may issue additional regulations setting reasonable requirements for space flight participants, including medical and training requirements. Such regulations shall not be effective before the expiration of 3 years after the date of enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004.
However, USDOT has declined to exert this authority thus far.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
