The world's richest man, Jeff Bezos, succeeded in space travel at an altitude of more than 100 km, but it is predicted that he will not be recognized as an official astronaut by the US federal authorities.
This is because the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which grants astronaut qualifications, recently changed its regulations for the first time in 17 years.
CNN reported that the FAA changed the rules for commercial astronaut qualifications on the 20th day Bezos flew into space, and that Bezos may not receive an official astronaut badge from the federal government.
The FAA granted astronaut qualifications only if it successfully flew at an altitude of 50 miles and about 80.5 km or more, but on the 20th, the related regulations were strengthened.
In the case of commercial space travellers, they will only be recognized as astronauts if they can prove that they have engaged in activities that "contribute to the safety of human space flight or are essential to public safety".
CNN reported that Bezos' space travel does not appear to comply with the FAA's revised rules.
(Photo = Getty Images Korea, FAA YouTube video capture, Yonhap News)