A small capsule from Varda Space just made an impressive return from orbit. The W-2 mission ended dramatically on February 27, when the capsule reentered Earth’s atmosphere and landed in the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia.
Weighing 265 pounds (120 kilograms), the capsule spent six weeks in space after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during the Transporter 12 mission. As it descended, Varda Space released a captivating video showing the capsule’s fiery reentry. In the final moments, at speeds over Mach 25, vibrant sparks could be seen as the capsule sliced through the atmosphere.
The capsule was designed for in-space manufacturing, carrying a spectrometer from the Air Force Research Laboratory and a specialized reactor for pharmaceuticals. This mission captured vital data that could aid in the development of hypersonic technologies.
Varda Space is trying to carve out a space for itself in the growing field of in-space manufacturing. The unique conditions of microgravity present opportunities for creating products, especially in the pharmaceutical sector. It’s exciting to think about how space could change the way we produce medicines.
Interestingly, the W-2 mission follows Varda’s first mission, the W-1, which landed in Utah a year prior. During that mission, crystals of an antiviral drug were successfully grown in space over eight months. Such advancements show how space research can lead to significant breakthroughs in medicine.
According to a recent study by Deloitte, the space manufacturing market could grow to $100 billion by 2040, reflecting increased interest and investment in this area. As companies like Varda Space explore these possibilities, we may soon see the launch of more such missions, pushing the boundaries of science and technology even further.
For those curious about the impact of space manufacturing, this evolving story emphasizes how humanity is moving closer to utilizing space resources for everyday needs. It highlights the potential of future technologies that could reshape our lives, all rooted in today’s remarkable space missions.
You can watch the exciting footage from Varda’s mission here.
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