Don’t drink the water

NASA and its International Space Station have agreed upon rules for tourists to Space Station Alpha.

The guidelines state that paying “spaceflight participants” must undergo a minimum amount of training, to be decided on a case-by-case basis. Those staying more than a few days will have to train 12 months in advance of launch. All tourists will also have to pass a medical examination, although this will be less rigorous than those for professional astronauts.
The new guidelines also mean that criminals, drug addicts and the “notoriously disgraceful” will not be allowed into space with the station partners. This is to protect the reputation of the project as well as the safety of the rest of the crew, says a NASA spokeswoman.

Though NASA opposed Dennis Tito’s $20MM trip to Mir, it has since indicated it’s willing to entertain paying tourists to the ISS.