<p>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Spaceflight company Virgin Galactic has postponed its next mission to space from New Mexico until at least May after a December test flight was aborted due to computer malfunction.</p>
<p>An investigation by the company found that electromagnetic interference caused the spaceship’s onboard computer to reboot during the December flight, the Albuquerque Journal <a href="https://www.abqjournal.com/2363563/space-flight-engineering-progress.html">reported</a> Thursday. That triggered a safety mechanism that shut down the engine and forced the VSS Unity’s two pilots to abort the mission and glide back to Earth.</p>
<p>Virgin Galactic is now testing and installing new components to prevent electromagnetic interference before they attempt another test flight, CEO Michael Colglazier said during a Thursday earnings call with investors.</p>
<p>The company was created by Virgin Group founder Richard Branson. Its chairman is venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya. </p>
