Why might commercial space tourism companies target altitudes near 80 km?

Answer

To qualify their passengers for astronaut wings under the US standard

The practical implication of having dual altitude standards—100 km internationally versus 80.5 km (50 miles) used by US agencies—directly influences the goals of commercial suborbital flight operators. Many companies offering brief trips to the edge of space structure their flights to deliberately cross the 80 km threshold set by NASA and the US Air Force. By achieving this altitude, they ensure that their paying customers meet the requirements to be legally recognized as astronauts within the United States, even if the flight does not reach the higher, globally accepted Kármán line of 100 kilometers. This strategy maximizes the perceived achievement for the tourist based on the standard most relevant to their operating jurisdiction.

Why might commercial space tourism companies target altitudes near 80 km?

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