Aon designs policy for space tourists

Insurance broker Aon Risk Solutions has teamed up with space tourism firm Space Expedition Corporation to design an insurance policy for space travellers.

Aon said the insurance policy provides coverage for losses related to flight cancellation, postponement, or temporary interruption. It is based upon a regular non-appearance cancellation policy and also includes additional supplemental coverage.

Aon Risk Solutions’ international space brokers practice chief executive Jeffrey Poliseno said: “This is an extraordinary opportunity for private citizens to have the opportunity to travel into space. Our partnership ensures that all those participating in the Space Expedition Corporation program will have comprehensive coverage during their preparatory training and eventual space travel.”

Space Expedition Corporation will begin to operate daily commercial flights to space in 2014 for private citizens that complete the mandatory training program and pass medical testing. The flights will be performed in the Lynx suborbital spaceplane that is designed and built by XCOR Aerospace, a company that uses reusable launch vehicles, rocket engines and rocket propulsion systems.

Space Expedition Corporation chief executive Michiel Mol said: “This partnership reflects our shared philosophy of innovation. Our combined services will provide a complete package for clients going to the final frontier and back.”