The FAA confirmed on Wednesday it was investigating a
deviation in the descent of the flight of the Virgin Galactic rocket plane that
carried British billionaire Richard Branson to the edge of space on July 11.
The FAA, responsible for protecting the public during
commercial space transportation launch and reentry, said "SpaceShipTwo
deviated from its Air Traffic Control clearance as it returned to Spaceport
America" in New Mexico.
"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 agency said.
In response to the FAA statement, Virgin Galactic said it
was "addressing the causes of the issue and determining how to prevent
this from occurring on future missions."
The company added the deviation in the July flight known as
Unity 22 was "a controlled and intentional flight path that allowed Unity
22 to successfully reach space and land safely at our Spaceport in New Mexico.
At no time were passengers and crew put in any danger."
It added it has "been working closely with the FAA to
support a thorough review and timely resolution of this issue."
Earlier, Virgin Galactic said "the flight did drop
below the altitude of the airspace ... for a short distance and time (1 minute
and 41 seconds)."
On Wednesday, Virgin Galactic said it was planning another
SpaceShipTwo flight from New Mexico and targeting a flight window in late
September or early October, pending technical checks and weather. That flight
is to carry three crew from the Italian Air Force and National Research
Council, it added.
Branson was among six Virgin Galactic employees who took part in the July flight, soaring more than 50 miles (80 km) above the New Mexico desert. He had touted the mission as a precursor to a new era of space tourism and said the company he founded in 2004 was poised to begin commercial operations next year. © Reuters
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