Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic grounded after part detaches

The pin was used to hold together the "mother-ship" VMS Eve that pilots the voyage and the rocket that carries tourists into outer space.

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.

Fortunately, the loosened piece did not pose any safety impact to the craft or those on board, who returned unharmed to the Virgin Galactic launch pad in New Mexico.