The commercial space launch industry has evolved and moved further toward space tourism. Commercial space tourism promises to make human space travel available to the public for the first time. In addition, NASA plans to use private companies to transport cargo, and eventually personnel, to the International Space Station after NASA retires the space shuttle later in 2011. The FAA oversees the safety of commercial space launches, licensing and monitoring the safety of such launches and of commercial spaceports, and promotes the industry. This testimony addresses: (1) recent industry trends; (2) FAA's related budget request for FY 2012; and (3) challenges that FAA and industry faces. Illustrations. This is a print on demand report.

This astute and comprehensive book provides in-depth analysis of the space sector with an ‘insurance as governance’ approach. Chapters highlight and examine the key aspects of this important subject including space tourism, risk mitigation and insurance requirements. The author also gives a fresh and contemporary insight into topics such as the influences of international space law, international air law and US domestic space law.