California Startup Successfully Recovers In-Space Manufacturing Capsule, Stunning Photography Captured
In a groundbreaking achievement, California-based startup Varda Space Industries has successfully recovered an in-space manufacturing capsule, capturing stunning photography in the process. The W-1 mission, which concluded on February 21st, saw the safe landing and recovery of a capsule containing crystals of the anti-viral medication Ritonavir, which were grown in orbit. Known for its efficacy in treating HIV and hepatitis C, Ritonavir benefits from the unique microgravity environment of low Earth orbit, allowing for the formation of “more perfect structures,” as explained by Varda.
Varda Space Industries aims to revolutionize the field of engineering materials in space by pioneering the use of orbital manufacturing spacecraft like the recently recovered capsule. The company’s website highlights the advantages of processing materials in microgravity, stating that it offers a unique environment not available through terrestrial processing.
This successful recovery places Varda Space Industries in an elite group, making it only the third private company to retrieve an intact spacecraft from orbit. The other two companies that have achieved this feat are SpaceX and Boeing, further solidifying Varda’s position as a key player in the space industry.
The W-1 capsule was launched in June 2023 as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-8 rideshare mission. It spent over seven months in space, connected to a Rocket Lab Photon spacecraft that provided power, propulsion, and navigation support. The collaboration between Varda and Rocket Lab proved to be instrumental in the success of the mission.
Following the recovery, Varda plans to transport the capsule back to its headquarters in Los Angeles for post-mission analysis. Additionally, the anti-viral drug Ritonavir will be sent to a pharmaceutical lab for further study. Varda expressed its commitment to collaboration by stating that the Ritonavir vials onboard the spacecraft will be shipped to their collaborators at Improved Pharma for post-flight characterization. Furthermore, the company will share the data collected throughout the entirety of the capsule’s flight, including the portion where hypersonic speeds were reached, with the Air Force and NASA under an existing contract.
The stunning photography captured during the recovery showcases the capsule on the desert floor of the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR). The images offer a glimpse into the remarkable achievement and highlight the importance of this milestone for Varda Space Industries.
In addition to the photographs, Varda CEO and co-founder Will Bruey shared a video taken from aboard the W-1 capsule. The footage shows Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft falling to Earth after separating from the capsule for its return journey. Bruey expressed his gratitude to Rocket Lab’s team for their contribution to the mission’s success, calling it “one for the books.”
Varda’s accomplishment comes shortly after NASA’s recovery of a capsule from the same range in September 2023. NASA’s capsule contained highly prized samples of the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, collected during the agency’s ambitious OSIRIS-REx mission. The successful landing and recovery of Varda’s W-1 spacecraft further solidify the Utah Training and Test Range as a hub for significant space achievements.
Varda Space Industries’ successful recovery of an in-space manufacturing capsule marks a significant milestone in the field of space exploration. With their pioneering efforts in orbital manufacturing, Varda is paving the way for new engineering possibilities in space. As they continue to push boundaries and collaborate with industry leaders, Varda Space Industries is poised to make even greater strides in the future.