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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Earth to space travelers: The 10-second countdown isn't all the preparation you need before blasting into outer space.
People who are looking to travel into space may be required to follow a set of guidelines proposed by the U.S. Transportation Department and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The draft, written by the FAA, may ask aspiring astronauts to get a physical and sign consent forms stating they understand the risks associated with launching into space.
The FAA also suggested that operators of reusable launch vehicles inform their passengers of the safety record of the vehicle they are using, and provide safety training before the launch.
"We're not going to lose sight of safety," Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said on Thursday during a speech to an audience of aerospace supporters attending the FAA's Commercial Space Transportation Conference in Washington, D.C.
But the Secretary noted "these guidelines for space tourism respect that this is uncharted territory," adding the government allows operators "to determine the best way to meet the standards."
A second set of guidelines for flight crew members also has been developed, Mineta said. Pilots of reusable launch vehicles would need to hold an FAA pilot certificate, and meet medical standards.
Wealthy individuals and entrepreneurs, including Virgin Atlantic's Richard Branson, have expressed interest in space travel in recent years.
Branson, founder and chairman of Virgin, even founded one of the world's first commercial space tourism operators, Virgin Galactic.
He also appeared in a Super Bowl commercial last weekend, promoting Volvo's XC90 V8 SUV by comparing it to travel space.
In the 30-second spot, the automaker announced that it will be giving away a chance to win a seat on Virgin Galactic's commercial passenger-carrying spaceship.
Virgin Galactic plans to take tourists into the space by 2007.
Mineta called those involved in sub-orbital missions "daring adventurers" and emphasized that the draft guidelines were "recognition of the developmental state of the industry."
He encouraged feedback on the guidelines and said his goal is to have this fledgling industry succeed.
Officials with the FAA's Space Transportation Office will present a detailed explanation of the guidelines later in the conference.
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