Virgin Galactic reports flight-related issue to FAA

VMS Eve, operated by Virgin Galactic, returns after the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space, at the Spaceport America facility, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., June 29, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/File Photo

(Reuters) - Space tourism company Virgin Galactic Holdings said on Monday that it had notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of a detachment of an alignment pin from its VMS Eve carrier jet.

The issue was found during post-flight reviews and reported to the regulator on Wednesday, Richard Branson's space venture said.