Commercial Space Astronaut Wings Program

Subject – IR

Context – US will no longer issue astronaut wings for commercial space travellers

Concept –

The astronaut wings it is referring to are pins that are given to individuals who fly to space in private spacecraft.
The program comes under the Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984 and was designed to recognize pilots and flight crew who furthered the FAA’s mission to promote the development of vehicles designed to carry humans into space.
It was created by FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation’s former Associate Administrator, the late Patti Grace Smith.
In order to be eligible for the astronaut wings, which is essentially a pin, the individual must meet the requirements for flight crew qualifications and training.