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Virgin Galactic reports flight-related issue to FAA

By Jaspreet Singh

(Reuters) – Space tourism company Virgin Galactic Holdings said on Monday that it had notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of a detachment of an alignment pin from its VMS Eve carrier jet.

The issue was found during post-flight reviews and reported to the regulator on Wednesday, Richard Branson’s space venture said.

The company said the detached alignment pin did not pose a safety impact to the vehicles or the crew on board, adding “Galactic 06” was a “safe and successful flight.”

It did not see any damage to the spaceship or the mothership, the space startup said.

Virgin Galactic will provide a further update at the completion of the review, the company said.

Virgin Galactic reports flight-related issue to FAA
VMS Eve, operated by Virgin Galactic, returns after the company’s first commercial flight to the edge of space, at the Spaceport America facility, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., June 29, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/File Photo