Impact Of Unity 22 “crash”, FAA Temporarily Bans Virgin Galactic From Launching Flights

JAKARTA - The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday, September 2 banned Virgin Galactic from flying SpaceShipTwo until the agency approves its final crash investigation report from its July flight. The FAA will investigate and determine that the matter does not affect public safety.

The FAA confirmed on Wednesday, September 1 that it was investigating irregularities in the flight of the Virgin Galactic rocket that carried British billionaire Richard Branson to the edge of space on July 11.

The FAA, which is responsible for protecting the public during launch and re-entry of commercial space transportation, said: "SpaceShipTwo deviated from Air Traffic Control clearance on its return to Spaceport America in New Mexico."

"Virgin Galactic cannot return a SpaceShipTwo vehicle to flight until the FAA approves a final crash investigation report or determines the issues associated with the crash do not affect public safety," the agency said.

In response to the FAA's statement, Virgin Galactic said it was "resolving the cause of the problem and determining how to prevent this from happening on future missions."

The company also added that the July in-flight lapse known as Unity 22 was "a controlled and deliberate 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 in any danger." ."

It added that it "has been working closely with the FAA to support a thorough review and timely resolution of this matter."

Previously, Virgin Galactic said "the flight fell below the altitude of the airspace ... for a short distance and time (1 minute and 41 seconds)."

On Wednesday, September 1, Virgin Galactic said it was planning another SpaceShipTwo flight from New Mexico. They are targeting flight schedules at the end of September or early October, pending technical and weather checks. The flight will carry a crew of three from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council.

Branson was among six Virgin Galactic employees who took part in the July flight, soaring more than 50 miles (80 km) over the New Mexico desert. He has touted the mission as a precursor to a new era of space tourism and said the company he founded in 2004 was ready to start commercial operations next year.