Space Tourism's Biggest Challenge in California Is the Fear of Lawsuits Mihir Zaveri - Associated Press
go to original August 26, 2013

Space Tourism Is Here! Wealthy Adventurers Wanted (TheNewYorkTimes)

SAN FRANCISCO – As several new private ventures to take people on trips to space come closer to becoming reality, California lawmakers are racing other states to woo the new space companies with cushy incentives.

They are debating a bill now in Sacramento that would insulate manufacturers of spaceships and parts suppliers from liability should travelers get injured or killed on a voyage, except in cases such as gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing. Last year, the state enacted a law that shields space tourism companies such as Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic from similar lawsuits.

“We’re still in the fledgling part of space flight and space travel, and we need people to be able to take a risk,” said California Republican Sen. Steve Knight, who introduced both state bills.

Several other states — including Texas, Florida, Virginia and New Mexico — have passed similar laws, hoping to lure newcomers to the more than $200 billion commercial space flight industry.

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