What specific distance, in miles, has the United States historically utilized as a benchmark for defining space for its own purposes?
Answer
50 miles
For its own regulatory and designation purposes, the United States has historically employed a different standard for recognizing the boundary of space compared to the international Kármán line. This domestic benchmark is set at 50 miles above sea level, which equates to roughly 80 kilometers. This dual standard—the 50-mile US benchmark versus the 100-kilometer international benchmark—creates ambiguity in determining official status for commercial space tourists. The text confirms that both the Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic flights exceeded this 50-mile mark, qualifying under the U.S. domestic altitude requirement.
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