Varda, the space startup, has finally secured approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to bring its W-Series 1 capsule, W-1, back to Earth after being stranded in orbit for eight months. The spacecraft, engaged in manufacturing drugs in space, is set to attempt a landing on February 21 at the Air Force’s Utah Test and Training Range. The FAA’s authorization is a crucial step for Varda’s mission.
Expressing gratitude to government partners for the opportunity, Varda highlighted its commitment to safe innovation. The W-1 mission serves as a demonstration of Varda’s automated in-space manufacturing process, which successfully produced the drug Ritonavir last year.
While in-space manufacturing is not a new concept, Varda aims to revolutionize the process by launching and returning space-made products more efficiently. The startup plans to manufacture high-value items like fiber optic cables, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors in orbit, leveraging the benefits of a weightless environment.
Varda utilizes Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft as the core of its operation, integrating a manufacturing module and a heatshield-protected capsule for the reentry process through Earth’s atmosphere. The company anticipates returning a few kilograms of manufactured material on the W-1 mission, marking a significant milestone in advancing space-based manufacturing capabilities.