Congress approves space tourism reg bill

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The Senate has approved legislation addressing regulation of the burgeoning space tourism industry, clearing the way for President Bush's expected signature.

The measure, approved Tuesday night following House approval Nov. 21, would end the requirement that the Federal Aviation Administration license commercial spacecraft using the same broad regulatory standards used for satellites.

The measure also gives the agency the power to enforce passenger safety standards on private spaceships by prohibiting the use of technologies with a track record of near fatalities or worse with use.

Full FAA regulatory authority over private spacecraft is phased in over time till 2012.