Spaceport asks to reduce liability

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico spaceport officials plan to seek legislation that would reduce legal liability for companies that launch from Spaceport America.

State Economic Development Secretary Fred Mondragon said Wednesday the proposed bill would require passengers on space flights to sign a consent form, acknowledging risks of the trip.

He says the consent form would be "very similar to what you sign when you go into a hospital."

Mondragon, the chairman of the state's Spaceport Authority, says the proposed legislation would protect the state from general risks but it would not provide liability protection from what he calls "gross negligence."

Virgin Galactic is the only company that has committed to launching space tourism flights from the state-owned Spaceport America.

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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News