Virgin Galactic Grounded After Alignment Pin Detaches

The agency confirmed it opened a mishap investigation and no public injuries or damage had been reported.

Kimberly Johnson

Tuesday, February 06, 2024 at 04:13 PM ET

Verified

Virgin Galactic's ‘Galactic 06’ flight launched January 26. [Courtesy: Virgin Galactic]

Key Takeaways:

Virgin Galactic flights are grounded by an FAA mishap investigation following the "Galactic 06" suborbital mission.
The investigation was initiated after the company reported finding a detached alignment pin on the mothership (VMS Eve) during a post-flight review.
Virgin Galactic asserts the detached pin did not pose a safety risk to the vehicles or crew during the flight.
The FAA must approve Virgin Galactic's findings and corrective actions before the company can resume spaceflight operations.

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Virgin Galactic flights are grounded amid an FAA mishap investigation after the space tourism company reported a detached alignment pin to the safety agency following a recent suborbital mission.

The January 26 “Galactic 06” mission was the company’s 11th spaceflight and its first with four private astronauts occupying seats aboard its spaceplane VSS Unity.