Virgin Galactic is not allowed to conduct space flights for the time being. The US aviation authority FAA has grounded spaceplane SpaceShipTwo as it investigates an incident that occurred during the first passenger space flight on July 11th.

During that flight, with owner Richard Branson and five Virgin Galactic employees on board, SpaceShipTwo deviated from its course during the descent. As a result, the spacecraft ended up outside the so-called air traffic control clearance area. It is being investigated whether the incident has endangered public safety.

Virgin Galactic said the sudden change of course was caused by high-altitude winds. According to the company, both pilots responded adequately. In a statement, Virgin Galactic said the flight was "a safe and successful test flight that complied with our flight procedures and training protocols."

Virgin Galactic planned to take three Italian researchers to the edge of space within weeks. During its maiden flight on July 11, SpaceShipTwo reached a maximum altitude of 86 kilometers.

--- DB4 - Sep 01 2021
* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)

Hi Aviation,

On 2021-09-03 14:05:44, you wrote to All:

Virgin Galactic planned to take three Italian researchers to the edge
of space within weeks. During its maiden flight on July 11,
SpaceShipTwo reached a maximum altitude of 86 kilometers.

And it's debatable if that is really space. Some draw the line at 100 km, but of course that is also an arbitrary limit...

Bye, Wilfred.
--- FMail-lnx64 2.1.0.18-B20170815
* Origin: FMail development HQ (2:280/464)

Wilfred,

Virgin Galactic planned to take three Italian researchers to the edge Wv>AH> of space within weeks. During its maiden flight on July 11,
SpaceShipTwo reached a maximum altitude of 86 kilometers.

And it's debatable if that is really space. Some draw the line at 100 km, but of course that is also an arbitrary limit...

My former boss at Belgacom flew on space Shuttle Atlantis STS-45 in a not too high orbit just outside the atmosphere and he explained to me that while it is considered "space", there still is micro-gravity and friction.

\%/@rd

--- DB4 - Sep 03 2021
* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)