Stunning footage released by Varda Space Industries showcases the gripping descent of its W-1 capsule through Earth’s atmosphere. The video captures the intense forces acting upon the spacecraft, accompanied by the powerful audio of it tearing through the atmosphere at speeds exceeding Mach 25, equivalent to nearly 20,000 mph. Viewers have lauded the clip as one of the most mesmerizing space videos to date.
The footage portrays the W-1 capsule hurtling towards Earth, equipped with a special heat shield designed to protect it from the extreme conditions of reentry. In a more extended video shared by Varda, the W-1 mission unfolds, revealing the smooth separation from Rocket Lab’s satellite bus before the spacecraft embarks on its rapid descent.
On February 21, the uncrewed W-1 capsule successfully landed at the Utah Test and Training Range, and Varda released the captivating video just days later. Notably, the capsule carried crystals of an antiviral drug that were cultivated in space—a key component of Varda’s ambitions to establish itself as a leader in off-Earth manufacturing.
Varda emphasizes the unique benefits of processing materials in microgravity, highlighting the absence of convection and sedimentation forces, as well as the opportunity to form more perfect structures due to the lack of gravitational stresses. The crystals brought back by Varda’s capsule will undergo careful examination by a pharmaceutical firm, marking a significant step in advancing space-based manufacturing.
Measuring 35 inches (about 90 centimeters) across, Varda’s W-1 capsule was part of a Rocket Lab Photon spacecraft launched on a SpaceX rideshare mission last June. Despite initial challenges in obtaining permissions from the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Air Force, Varda secured a reentry license on February 14, leading to the successful landing the following week.
