*snicker* Looks like the FAA just redefined "astronaut" on Tuesday

[krispos42]

It's a PDF:

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/FAA_Order_8800.2.pdf

The important part seems to be this:

{snip}
5. Eligibility Requirements. To be eligible for FAA Commercial Space Astronaut Wings, commercial launch crewmembers must meet the following criteria:
a. Meet the requirements for flight crew qualifications and training under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 460.
b. Demonstrated flight beyond 50 statute miles above the surface of the Earth as flight crew on an FAA/AST licensed or permitted launch or reentry vehicle.
c. Demonstrated activities during flight that were essential to public safety, or contributed to human space flight safety.
6. Revising Eligibility Requirements. In order to maintain the prestige of Commercial Space Astronaut Wings, the FAA may further refine the eligibility requirements at any time as it deems appropriate. Any updates to the eligibility will be recorded as a revision to this document.
{snip}

In other words, mere passengers don't get astronaut wings any more. So now did Bezos & Company just lose their wings from Tuesday's flight?

[Iggo]

1. So this means I'm not an airplane pilot?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. Looks like they met 5.b

They both went beyond 50 miles. Not sure of the rest.

[Sneederbunk]

7. Not a crew.

[ga_girl]

3. Interesting redefinition

Since Virgin Galactic has two pilots, and six passenger seats, I presume the passengers won't qualify for wings. Same with Blue Origin - totally automatic without any essential activities during flight. SpaceX passengers might not qualify since that vehicle is autonomous during flight.

[cloudbase]

4. The FAA has come out with some interesting (as in bizarre) stuff lately,

particularly regarding free flight instruction.

Their motto: We're not happy until you're not happy.

[bluecollar2]

6. As a 35 year veteran of the airline mechanic trade

I had to smile at the motto...

We used to say "Here comes the FAA...They're here to help."

[Klaralven]

5. Of the 400 who have flown to ISS, only about 112 are astronauts

The rest are 'visitors".

[GregariousGroundhog]

10. That's not really true

Of the 243 people to visit the ISS, 234 of them served as flight engineers or as the crew commander.

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/visitors-to-the-station-by-country/

[Sneederbunk]

8. Do not meet the qualifications of a Russian dog in space.

[brooklynite]

9. Big deal...

You went in to space….

You don’t need decorations to remember that for the rest of your life.

[lagomorph777]

11. After 62 years, still going to great lengths to deny Wally her wings.

Despicable.

[krispos42]

13. Yeah, I was wondering exactly when this took effect.

Obviously, it can't be effective until it's published but I don't know exactly when it was published. Any time after, say, 10:40am would not effect the Blue Origin flight.

[lagomorph777]

14. I'm wondering the same.

[BannonsLiver]

12. Weird that people here

Would be giddy with excitement over someone like Wally Funk, who was discriminated against because of her gender, would lose their astronaut status.

Then again, given the way things have been around here lately, maybe it’s not.