Virgin Galactic's Galactic 06 spaceflight experienced a minor issue when a small alignment pin detached from the launch pylon of its mothership, VMS Eve, during flight. The company reported the incident to the FAA and is conducting a review, emphasizing that the detached pin did not pose a safety risk to the crew or vehicles. Virgin Galactic plans to provide an update after the review and confirm the flight window for the next mission, Galactic 07, which is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024.
During Virgin Galactic's Galactic 06 suborbital mission, the VMS Eve mothership lost an alignment pin used to mate with the VSS Unity space plane, prompting an FAA investigation. Despite the lost pin, the company stated that there was no danger or damage to either aircraft, and the flight was conducted safely. Virgin Galactic will conduct an investigation alongside the FAA and provide an update ahead of its next mission, Galactic 07. The FAA has grounded Virgin Galactic until the investigation is completed, and the company plans to retire its current fleet of suborbital vehicles in favor of new "Delta class" space planes.
Virgin Galactic's space tourism flight was grounded after a small part, an alignment pin, fell off the mothership of its rocket-powered space plane during the Galactic 06 mission. The company stated that the part loss did not affect the mission's safety and that it will work with the FAA on a review of the issue. The FAA will conduct a mishap investigation and must approve Virgin Galactic's final report and corrective actions before the company can return to flight. Virgin Galactic plans to provide further updates after the completion of the joint FAA review and aims to conduct the Galactic 07 mission in the second quarter of 2024.
