Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a significant Spaceflight Entity Liability bill into law, just a day after revealing his 2024 presidential bid on Elon Musk‘s Twitter platform.
The Details: This new law provides immunity from liability for spaceflight providers in the unfortunate event of crew injury or death. It effectively bars the crew from suing or seeking damages related to any harm arising from their involvement in spaceflight activities.
However, it’s important to note that the law does not absolve spaceflight providers of liability in cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm toward the crew’s safety. In such instances, the providers can still be held accountable.
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Effective July 1st, all participants in spaceflight activities will be required to sign a waiver assuming the risks associated with their involvement.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Tom Wright, successfully passed through both chambers of the Florida legislature, marking a significant milestone in legislative progress.
Why It Matters: Florida boasts a substantial presence in the aviation and aerospace sector, ranking second in the nation with over 16,019 aerospace-related companies, according to government agency Space Florida.
With a thriving commercial space industry, Florida serves as a hub for prominent players including Musk’s SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, and OneWeb satellites. Additionally, the state has forged partnerships with United Launch Alliance and Boeing, further solidifying its position in the aerospace landscape.
The signing of this law reinforces Florida’s commitment to fostering spaceflight ventures while addressing the legal framework surrounding crew safety and liability.
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