SAIA and FAA to jointly oversee Virgin Orbit investigation
Safety investigation launched into the system anomaly which occurred during the UK鈥檚 inaugural space launch on 9 January 2023.
The UK鈥檚 Space Accident Investigation Authority (SAIA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the USA will jointly oversee the Virgin Orbit investigation into the system anomaly that occurred during the firing of the rocket鈥檚 second stage engine.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is the UK鈥檚 Space Accident Investigation Authority. The AAIB had a team of inspectors at Spaceport Cornwall observing Monday night鈥檚 launch.
The team will work closely with the FAA to oversee Virgin Orbit鈥檚 investigation into the cause of the anomaly. The aim will be to ensure that any relevant safety lessons are learnt.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority will act as advisors to the SAIA during this investigation.
For more about the appointment as the SAIA click here
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