US Grounds Virgin Galactic After Flight's Reported Deviation From Planned Trajectory

"Virgin Galactic may not return the SpaceShipTwo vehicle to flight until the FAA approves the final mishap investigation report or determines the issues related to the mishap do not affect public safety," the agency said.

The US Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday said it was grounding spaceflights by Virgin Galatic while it investigates why the company's July 11 voyage carrying Richard Branson deviated from its planned trajectory. "Virgin Galactic may not return the SpaceShipTwo vehicle to flight until the FAA approves the final mishap investigation report or determines the issues related to the mishap do not affect public safety," the agency said. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)