ABSTRACT
Space tourism occupies many media column inches. The threat posed by asteroids or comets that may penetrate to the surface of the Earth has become better understood as their detection has improved. The traditional rules regarding space have difficulty in encompassing commercial space tourism, whether ‘vertical’/‘up-and-down’ or a more extended venture into space. Such activities were not in contemplation when the rules were developed in the 1960s and 1970s. The phrase ‘space tourism’ is unfortunate. The suggestion that the term ‘private space flight’ would be preferable is cogent. A state authorising space tourism has the sovereign right to determine the terms on which it will license the activity. Obviously these terms should be reflective of any relevant international obligations that might impact on the activity. In space tourism there is an obvious difference between the crew, who operate the vehicle, and the customers.
