SecondThis was a serious setback for British billionaire Richard Branson: The FAA imposed a temporary takeoff ban due to problems with the last test flight of his aerospace company Virgin Galactic. The agency said on Thursday that it will not allow the spacecraft-type Spacecraft II to take off until the FAA approves the “final failure investigation report” or determines that there is no threat to public safety.
As we all know before, the spacecraft deviated from the planned flight path during a test flight with Branson on July 11, which attracted worldwide attention. According to a report in the “New Yorker” magazine, orange and red warning lights were lit during the flight. Therefore, the ascent angle of the aircraft is not steep enough.
Three times the speed of sound correction
“According to several sources within the company, the safest way to respond to the warning is to suspend,” the article said. The pilot did not abort the mission, but tried to correct at three times the speed of sound. In the end, the plane reached an altitude of 85 kilometers—as defined by the United States, the limit of outer space—and then landed safely at the Virgin Galactic U.S. Spaceport Airport in the desert of New Mexico.
this rare It was confirmed on Thursday that the plane deviated from the approved route. “The FAA’s investigation is ongoing.” However, no further activation is allowed until further notice. The company’s stock price has since fallen by 5%.
Virgin Galactic rejected the introduction in the “New Yorker” article on the grounds of “misleading”, but admitted that the spacecraft did not cover the planned route. Therefore, the machine was 1 minute and 43 seconds lower than planned. However, it has never been located above an inhabited area, and it does not represent a “danger to the public”.
Realized a lifelong dream
The company stated that when the high-altitude wind changes the trajectory of Spacecraft II, “the pilot and the system will monitor the trajectory to ensure that it remains within the mission parameters.” “Our pilots have made appropriate adjustments to these changing flight conditions. The response is like they are training strictly according to our established procedures.”
With this flight, Branson realized his lifelong dream—and at the same time defeated his competitor, Jeff Bezos, who flew into space on a rocket from his private aerospace company Blue Origin nine days later. The 71-year-old British company founder and adventurer experienced weightlessness for a few minutes and then talked about “my life experience”. This flight is a grand media event.
Virgin Galactic has actually planned another test flight with members of the Italian Air Force at the end of September or early October. The paying passenger business should start in early 2022. In early August, Virgin Galactic announced the ticket price of 450,000 U.S. dollars.
Virging Galactic has encountered setbacks time and time again. In 2014, a pilot died unexpectedly during the flight, causing the plan to be seriously delayed.
