Branson's red lightVirgin Galactic’s core spaceship, SpaceShipTwo, is now grounded pending investigations (Reuters). In short, it’s reported that the flight didn’t go to plan, which isn’t wildly unexpected given the various firsts being achieved. That risked a hazardous descent and landing, with a red warning light: Virgin Galactic pilots Dave Mackay and Mike Masucci were aware of the problem. (A Virgin Galactic spokesperson disputed this contention.) spokesperson confirmed that Virgin Galactic “deviated from its Air Traffic Control clearance” and that an “investigation is ongoing.”The New Yorker report further questions the safety culture of the company, which Virgin Galatic denied in various statements.

Source: The Nation September 03, 2021 11:03 UTC