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Virgin Galactic

Controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

Back to profile3 entries

  1. 2021

    FAA bars Virgin Galactic launches pending investigation

    Ban or restriction

    In September 2021, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration stated that Virgin Galactic could not return its SpaceShipTwo vehicle to flight until the agency either approved the final mishap investigation report or determined that the related issues did not affect public safety. The FAA's position placed a hold on further SpaceShipTwo flights while the investigation process was pending. The statement did not specify the outcome of the investigation or any additional findings beyond the condition for resuming flight.

    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said Virgin Galactic may not return its SpaceShipTwo vehicle to flight until the FAA approves the final mishap investigation report or determines the related issues do not affect public safety.

    Company response

    • Clarification — Virgin Galactic

      Virgin Galactic insisted Thursday that Branson and everyone else on board were never in any added danger.

    Source excerpt

    • The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that Virgin Galactic cannot launch anyone into space again until an investigation is complete into a mishap that occurred during July's flight with founder Richard Branson.
    • The FAA said the rocketship carrying Branson and five Virgin Galactic employees veered off course during its descent back to New Mexico on July 11. The deviation put the ship outside the air traffic control clearance area.
    • The FAA said the rocketship carrying Branson and five Virgin Galactic employees veered off course during its descent back to its runway in the New Mexico desert on July 11. The deviation put the ship outside the air traffic control clearance area.
    Source

  2. 2014

    VSS Enterprise test-flight disaster

    VSS Enterprise broke apart during a powered test flight after premature unlocking of its feathering system. One pilot was killed and another seriously injured. The NTSB identified design, training, oversight, and human-factors failures.

    Source

  3. 2007

    Rocket-component test explosion

    An explosion during ground testing at Mojave killed three Scaled Composites employees and injured three others. The event preceded Virgin Galactic’s passenger operations but affected the broader development program.

    Source