Says Feather Mechanism Has Already Been Modified To Prevent A Similar Accident In The Future

In an extensive blog post and video, Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson says that the conclusion of the NTSB's investigation of the accident involving SpaceShipTwo last October 31 is a "milestone" for the company that will allow it to focus on the future.

However, "we are acutely aware that it does not alter the fact that this was at heart a human tragedy. Our thoughts go out again today to the family, friends and colleagues of Mike (Alsbury).

"We are thankful to the NTSB for conducting and completing a thorough investigation – as well as for the clarity of their findings and recommendations, all of which will help make the fledgling commercial space industry safer and better," Branson wrote. "Contrary to some initial speculation, the NTSB made clear that the spaceship Scaled Composites had designed, built and then flew for us was performing exactly as it should have. We can therefore be certain that among other things, the rocket motor was working perfectly, the vehicle’s airframe performed as it had been designed, and the cockpit displays were all fully functional.

"In short, the NTSB has been able to confirm its initial statements as to the cause of the accident: that the feather, a unique system used for the spaceship’s safe re-entry from space, was manually and prematurely unlocked by Scaled’s pilot.

"The NTSB board also looked closely at whether the Scaled Composite’s accident meant Virgin Galactic should change its own procedures for future test flights and commercial operations, or indeed the design of future vehicles. We cooperated fully with the investigation, and the NTSB has made no recommendations for the company.  Over the past months, our engineers have already designed a mechanism to prevent the feather from being unlocked at the wrong time.

"We also have a truly incredible pilot corps with unparalleled experience covering an enormously diverse range of commercial, military and space vehicles, and we will continue to prepare and train them for commercial space service. With the investigation completed, Virgin Galactic can now focus fully on the future with a clean bill of health and a strengthened resolve to achieve its goals," Branson wrote.

(Images from file)

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