It is estimated that there are around 200 retired astronauts from NASA who are still alive. With the International Space Station (ISS) set to offer cloud-dwellers the chance to become space tourists, NASA will employ the services of retired astronauts to become trainers and tour guides.
The decision was taken after receiving feedback from the ISS crew who received a space tourist tour from Axiom Space last April. The crew said the task of taking care of the tourists and training them was too burdensome with them also having to do the daily tasks of the ISS.
Experienced retired astronauts can help tourists practice on earth before they go to the ISS and then make sure they don't interfere with the crew's duties for the duration of the visit.
With Axiom Space set to connect a film studio and hotel module to the ISS in just a few years, efforts to reduce the burden on the actual crew should be taken now. The offer of packages to tourists by NASA had to be done because the U.S. government will reduce the funds given to the agency so that they are more independent.