Washington D.C. – New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed into law today a bill that will extend liability protections beyond spacecraft operators. Through informed consent, spaceflight participants are accepting the risks associated with spaceflight. Should they incur any injury while participating in spaceflight activities, this bill will provide the necessary liability protection from lawsuits against the vehicle operator, manufacturer, and suppliers.
“Spacecraft manufacturers and their suppliers are entitled to the same liability protection given to the operators, particularly in the critical first few years of routine flight operations,” stated Commercial Spaceflight Federation President Michael Lopez-Alegria. “This bill acknowledges that spaceflight is an inherently risky activity and provides the necessary protections for all the companies involved while still holding them accountable. With this legislation in place, Spaceport America will continue to become one of our nation’s hubs for commercial spaceflight. I applaud the efforts of New Mexico Governor Martinez on this issue and that of the State Legislature for getting the bill to the Governor’s desk. This is a great success for the commercial spaceflight industry not only in New Mexico but the nation.”
About the Commercial Spaceflight Federation
The mission of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) is to promote the development of commercial human spaceflight, pursue ever-higher levels of safety, and share best practices and expertise throughout the industry. The Commercial Spaceflight Federation’s member companies, which include commercial spaceflight developers, operators, spaceports, suppliers, and service providers, are creating thousands of high-tech jobs nationwide, working to preserve American leadership in aerospace through technology innovation, and inspiring young people to pursue careers in science and engineering. For more information please visit www.commercialspaceflight.org or contact Executive Director Alex Saltman at saltman@commercialspaceflight.org or at 202.347.1096.
