FAA temporarily grounds Virgin Galactic ship while investigating ‘mishap’ during July 11 flight
Virgin Galactic may not fly its spaceplane until officials investigate a possible violation during its July 11 voyage.
The Federal Aviation Agency said it is investigating a “mishap” that occurred during the spaceflight company’s mission, confirming Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo “deviated from its Air Traffic Control clearance” and flew beyond designated airspace.
“The FAA is overseeing the Virgin Galactic investigation of its July 11 SpaceShipTwo mishap that occurred over Spaceport America, New Mexico,” the agency said in a statement. “SpaceShipTwo deviated from its Air Traffic Control clearance as it returned to Spaceport America.”
WHAT TO MAKE OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY’S UNCLASSIFIED REPORT ON UFOS
“Virgin Galactic may not return the SpaceShipTwo vehicle to flight until the FAA approves the final mishap investigation report or determines the issues related to the mishap do not affect public safety,” the statement added.
A report published Wednesday detailed the historic flight, which made Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson the first billionaire to travel into space.
Pilots Dave Mackey and Mike Masucci received warning messages about a minute into the flight indicating their flight path was too shallow, according to the New Yorker.
The yellow-lighted caution message then turned red, and the pilots were forced to correct the issue immediately or abort the mission. Mackey and Masucci chose the former but not without flying outside their designated airspace for a minute and 41 seconds during the process, the outlet reported.
Virgin Galactic reportedly acknowledged the company did not immediately notify the FAA of the plane’s venture into unapproved airspace and later asserted the incident didn’t pose a risk to civilians.
“At no time did the ship travel above any population centers or cause a hazard to the public,” the company told CNN. “FAA representatives were present in our control room during the flight and in post-flight debriefs. We are working in partnership with the FAA to address the airspace for future flights.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Virgin Galactic for comment.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The company’s July flight was hailed a success after the fact, with Branson saying it marked the “dawn of a new space age.” The Virgin flight — which included Branson, three Virgin Galactic employees, and the two pilots — was followed days later by another trip to space operated by Blue Origin, the rocket company founded by Jeff Bezos.
It’s unclear whether the FAA’s grounding SpaceShipTwo will be lifted in time for Virgin Galactic’s next scheduled spaceflight test, which the company plans to initiate between late September to early October.
Original Location: FAA temporarily grounds Virgin Galactic ship while investigating ‘mishap’ during July 11 flight
Washington Examiner Videos
