Virgin Galactic, the space tourism company founded by Richard Branson, encountered an in-flight hardware issue during its recent crewed spaceflight. The issue involved a pin used to align the spaceplane, VSS Unity, and its carrier aircraft, VMS Eve. The pin became detached during the flight, but Virgin Galactic assured that it did not pose a safety risk to the vehicles or the crew.
The company discovered the problem during routine post-flight reviews and promptly notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Virgin Galactic is currently conducting a review in collaboration with the FAA to determine the cause of the pin malfunction. The FAA has yet to comment on the matter.
This incident is not the first in-flight issue that Virgin Galactic has faced. In 2021, during founder Richard Branson’s own spaceflight, the spaceplane deviated from its intended flight path, leading to an investigation overseen by the FAA. Additionally, in 2014, a Virgin Galactic operated spaceplane crashed, resulting in the death of one test pilot and injuring another. These incidents highlight the challenges and risks associated with commercial spaceflight.
Despite these setbacks, Virgin Galactic has made significant progress in its commercial spaceflight operations. Since launching in 2023 after nearly two decades of development, the company has successfully completed six tourist and research flights, taking customers to the edge of space and back.
The recent hardware issue comes at a time when the FAA and the aerospace industry are under increased scrutiny due to manufacturing issues with Boeing Co.’s 737 Max 9 jets. However, it is important to note that the FAA currently lacks the authority to mandate safety standards for commercial spacecraft carrying humans to space. This legislative moratorium is set to expire on March 8, raising questions about future regulations in the industry.
Looking ahead, Virgin Galactic plans to provide further updates and confirm the timing of its next mission, which is currently scheduled between April and June. This flight will be significant as it will be the first time the company sends four tourists to space without a Virgin Galactic astronaut acting as support staff.
Despite the challenges and occasional setbacks, Virgin Galactic remains committed to pushing the boundaries of space tourism. As the company continues its review with the FAA, it is clear that safety and innovation will remain at the forefront of its operations.