Ana Bru has been appointed Space Tourist Program High Commissioner by ISTA, the new International Space Transport Association, launched with the purpose to favour commercial space traffic development and created as an initiative from the businessmen and spatial agents Ronald Heister (Netherlands) and Sergio Figueira (Portugal). Ana Bru's responsibility will be to pass on her personal experience in space travelling to future tourists, as well as her wide know-how related to spatial tourism as a spatial agent and future astronaut.

Officially presented last September 16th 2010 in The Hague, location of its headquarters, one of ISTA's main objectives will be to provide the establishment of new regulations to precisely define the structure of legal responsibilities in the spatial commercial industry.  

According to Ronald Heister, ISTA's director, “Space enables enormous possibilities to improve life on earth. An industry that explores these new frontiers needs regulation alongside stimulation. ISTA will help influence and advise governments and safety organizations in the drafting of new space legislation.”

The current worldwide development of different transport and tourism-related projects require the need for an independent, international association to strengthen sustainable growth of the space travel industry and its spin-off markets and to raise awareness amongst existing and new commercial space consumers and the general public to support and promote the industry.

ISTA has members and strategic partners in Canada, USA, Japan, Russia, India, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Australia, Brazil and Hong Kong.