Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson not yet astronauts, US says

[sl8]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-57950149

Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson not yet astronauts, US says

Published 17 hours ago

In a move that pours cold water on the dreams of a few billionaire space explorers, the US has tightened its definition of the word "astronaut".

New Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules say astronaut hopefuls must be part of the flight crew and make contributions to space flight safety.

That means Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson may not yet be astronauts in the eyes of the US government.

These are the first changes since the FAA wings programme began in 2004.

[....]

[Merlot]

1. I was just thinking that yesterday - they're grown men playing dress up

in jumpsuit costumes with little badges and name tags (and spending billions of dollars).

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. Nothing more than passengers.

[rampartc]

4. baggage

excess weight

[grumpyduck]

3. And we have to say this... why?

Of course they're not astronauts, any more than a guy taking a back seat ride in a fighter plane is a fighter pilot.

It's insulting to the highly-skilled people who spend years training and work their butts off up there.

Geez, billionaires, grow up.

[Ferrets are Cool]

6. This

[Champp]

5. Ahh, the old Move the Goalposts strategery

Now the billionaire boys will have to join Icarus in the epic Losers Hall of Fail.

[Brother Buzz]

7. Come on, the first Weinermobile in space has to count for something, no?

[quickesst]

8. I don't know much about Jeff Bezos

.... but in this case of Sir Richard Branson, I am always amused when I see people taking pot shots at a man who has contributed millions of dollars to different charities and causes including significant contributions to the lgbtq community. Of course none of his so-called critics will point out these contributions because it would detract from their goal of being seen as Progressive Warriors in the moral battle against the establishment. I say it's his money, and if he spends 100 million dollars doing good work that benefits others, who am I to tell him he can't spend a hundred million dollars of his own money on other projects?

[Aristus]

10. My view is, if you're wealthy, it's easy to be a philanthropist.

And the tax write-off doesn't hurt, either.

My admiration is for people who have nothing, but give anyway; give of their time, give any extra they may have so that others don't have to go without, people who give their hearts and souls for their fellow human beings.

[quickesst]

11. I admire those people too...

... for doing what they can. All I can say is when it comes to food, clothing, housing, legal aid Etc, nothing beats a million-dollar shot in the arm. I don't know exactly what you would have Branson do. Refuse the tax write-off? Would you? There are billionaires and millionaires out there who make charitable donations simply for the tax write-off. If you know anything about Branson, then you have to know that he is far more involved and passionate about it than most.

"I now spend the majority of my time working with Virgin Unite to make a positive difference in the world. From supporting projects that I’m passionate about, such as being an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, drug policy reform and giving ex-offenders a second chance to using my voice and that of the Virgin Group to shine a spotlight on issues that I believe are unacceptable, such as climate change and the death penalty." Richard Branson


https://unite.virgin.com/unite/

[Aristus]

9. The Mercury spacecraft was originally designed to be fully automatic.

But the Original 7 Mercury astronauts insisted on at least some in-flight control of the craft, proud accomplished pilots that they were.

They refused to be what sneering test pilots called "spam in a can."

Bezos and Branson were passengers, that's all.

[sarcasmo]

12. Penis Rocket Riders

[Karma13612]

13. Darn tootin' they aren't astronauts.

Just on the educational aspect alone. I thought astronauts were required to be degreed engineers, for starters.

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. Question for those who are saying "damn right" - how do you feel about Wally Funk?

Just checking if people have thought this through, or read the whole article.