posted 04-26-2001 10:23 PM               

First of all, is he to be considered an astronaut or cosmonaut? In the proper sense of the term, no. He was not selected to go into space, he elected to go, and is able to foot the bill in order to do so.

However, there is the consideration that X-15 pilots who ascended above certain altitudes, 50 miles for the US, and I think above 62 miles for the international distinction. Or it could be the other way around, I am not sure. But none the less, any X-15 pilot who did fly above one of those flight levels are considered to be astronauts. So, in that category, Dennis Tito does qualify for the title astronaut.

Now, for the question of the day: Is his autograph worthy of being added to a collection?

That depends on why you collect. Do you collect for investment purposes? In essence to sell or trade it another day? Or, is your collection a more personal one, where this is how you commemorate your meeting with Buzz Aldrin, or Dave Scott?

I realize that astronaut autographs have commercial value. I almost wish that they did not, because I think that, more than anything else is what IS killing this noble hobby. My collection is more along the lines of a personal one. 90% of my autographs were collected in person. I prefer it that way.
They may not have great commercial value, but they are priceless to me.

I think the real line in the sand here is, if you want Dennis Tito's autograph, get it. If you don't, then don't. If you are looking for future commercial value, that's where it gets murky. Don't use the rent money to get one.

posted 04-26-2001 10:40 PM               

Nice ring if I say so myself. While I truly doubt that a price I could afford for me to be a touristnaut in my lifetime will occur, I can hope.

posted 04-27-2001 07:59 AM               

The only reason why I am interested, is because I feel this is an important event for space travel, this is the first space tourist in any true meaning of the word, he chose to go, he is paying for the trip. If anyone forecast this event three years ago, everyone would treat is as pure fantasy.

posted 04-27-2001 10:32 PM               

I still think that it is interesting to read these posts about how he has no business going. I do not see why not.

I believe I read somewhere that we had commercial airline flights for the general public long before 1943, forty years after the Wright Brothers blazed the trail. It has been 40 years since the first manned space flight. But it did not take that long for average Joe's like me to ride in an airplane.

To keep space closed for scientists private domain is in my opinion, wrong. The first steps into a new frontier should be taken by trained explorers. But eventually you do send in the homesteaders, and prospectors to really open up the territory.

Is it dangerous? You bet your sweet bippie. Will people die? Unfortunately this will also be true. But people like Dennis Tito are willing to go up and take a risk. I think that this is only to be admired.

I am going to lay it on the line. As long as space remains as NASA's private little kingdom, it will never be opened to the public. Never. It will always be too dangerous. Too hazardous. Too hostile an environment. All of which is true. But the American west was just as dangerous. You would be just as dead if you didn't know what you were doing.

People, not scientists, open up new frontiers. Scientists, and other specialists, are the needed trailblazers. But, eventually they have to step aside, and let others come in.

posted 04-28-2001 07:39 AM               

Things must, AND WILL, change, so why not start now? Why wait another 40 years?

As for an autograph, anyone with the courage to ride a rocket into orbit has earned my respect. Way to go. Make it happen!

posted 04-29-2001 03:27 PM               

Tito will probably be the same- a footnote: nothing more and nothing less. I guess if you are assembling a complete collection of all flown humans, he needs to be in your collection, or it won't be complete.

posted 05-01-2001 11:46 AM               

This year is 40 years after the first human spaceflight and I think it's time to bring some commercial events into space. Forty years after the first airplane took off there were already commercial airlines and that brought us faster and cheaper flights.

Spaceflight is expensive and there is every year lesser money. Why blame Russia to earn 20 million USD?

If NASA has a crew of five on the shuttle they could sell the two extra seats! That's an income of 40 million USD!

posted 05-09-2001 01:53 AM               

Training, qualification, background is no issue.

Jake Garn, who paid nothing for his ticket, is a member and attends their events. So are Toyohiro Akiyama and Helen Sharman, both "payloads." Unflown astronauts, whether selected, trained, professional or qualified, can not be a member.

posted 05-09-2001 04:45 AM               

"Membership in the Association of Space Explorers is open to any person who has made one or more orbits of the Earth in outer space (as defined by the IAF).

posted 05-09-2001 11:14 AM               

"Flying? FLYING??? Not of interest to me any more - now as every simple person has the possibility to do so..."

posted 05-09-2001 12:06 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
So, technically, that includes Tito... but excludes the X-15 pilots, McAuliffe, and Jarvis... so even the ASE has their limits as to who they accept as an astronaut. And of course, that definition is not set in stone -- they too could change who they accept and who they do not...

---

As for the X-15 pilots, the definition of space was different in their time than it is today. Has any of those ever applied and was rejected? That would be an interesting precedent. But if never any X-15 pilot applied, your consideration would be purely speculative.

posted 05-09-2001 12:11 PM               

"Membership in the Association of Space Explorers is open to any person who has made one or more orbits of the Earth in outer space (as defined by the IAF)."

posted 05-09-2001 12:20 PM               

Whilst I watched the news reports I felt very envious of Mr. Tito, and I also could see the sheer joy on his face at being on the ISS. I say well done to him. If he could afford it, then why not go!

posted 05-09-2001 12:40 PM               

"Membership in the Association of Space Explorers is open to any person who has made one or more orbits of the Earth in outer space (as defined by the IAF)."

Dennis Tito has been issued an invitation to join ASE; his flight qualifies him for membership.

posted 03-13-2003 12:41 PM            

My point is, is that the Shuttle starts it's re-entry at 400,000 feet. The X-15 could not get above that height as it would have found it difficult, (as I remember reading in Milt Thompson's book), to re-enter the atmosphere from that height.

posted 03-21-2003 09:13 AM               

First, let me note that ASE was formed to provide an organization for folks who have shared a common experience, rather than just for folks who share a common job title. Many of the Founders were people who flew other than as "professional" astronauts or cosmonauts.

Now, remember that in 1985, when ASE was formed, there was no expectation that there would be an organized effort to fly tourists into space. Therefore, it was decided that the "lowest common denominator" would be " [at least] one orbit of the earth, in space ("space" as defined by FAI)." This seemed, at the time, a reasonable eligibility requirement that would maintain the uniqueness of the organization and its membership while including those folks who were not necessarily professional astronauts/cosmonauts.

Tito was issued an invitation to join (post flight). He has not, to date, replied. The invitation is standing, but he will not be issued another.

To my knowledge, no X-15 pilots have ever applied. If they did, they would not be accepted.

With regard to Shepard and Grissom, remember that the organization was founded after they made orbital flights. Had the organization been formed earlier, or had they not made orbital flights, the Founders may well have designed the eligibility requirements to accommodate them. As it was, by that time everyone who had flown had "orbited in space."

Not sure if I have clarified anything or just muddied the waters, but I'm happy to try to answer any questions anyone may have.