
Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic grounded after part ‘detaches’ on $450K space tourism voyage
NY Post
In space, no one can hear a pin drop.
Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic was forced to ground its rocket after a part fell off during its first space tourism flight of 2024.
The “alignment pin detached” during its most recent spaceflight, Galactic 06, on Jan. 26, the company announced Tuesday.
The pin was used to hold together the two halves of the Virgin Galactic spaceship — the “mothership” VMS Eve that pilots the voyage and the rocket that carries tourists into outer space.
Eight people were on board when the incident occurred — four pilots divided among the two aircraft and four people who paid for the commercial trip beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Tickets for the out-of-this-world experience cost roughly $450,000.

After nearly 50 years in Orange County, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA is packing up its headquarters — trading Cypress, California for Kennesaw, Georgia in a sweeping corporate shift that will impact about 250 workers.The motorcycle and motorsports giant says the move is part of major “structural reforms” meant to boost profits as costs climb — including pressure from tariffs imposed during the administration of President Donald Trump and shifting market conditions.












