California company celebrates successful return of medical research space capsule
A Southern California company is celebrating the successful launch and return of a space capsule designed to change how pharmaceuticals are processed in Earth’s low orbit.
Varda Space Industries, based in El Segundo, launched its W-2 capsule aboard a Space X rocket in mid-January. It carried an array of research equipment and was protected by a heat shield developed in conjunction with NASA, the company said in a news release.
After six weeks in orbit, the turtle-shaped capsule descended back to Earth last Friday at speeds exceeding Mach 25, or 19,100 miles per hour. It touched down via parachute at a test range in southern Australia.
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The W-2 capsule landed safely at the Koonibba Test Range, operated by Southern Launch. Photo by William Godwin, Courtesy Varda Space Industries. Feb. 28, 2025. -
Varda Space Industries engineers recover the W-2 capsule after it landed in Australia after six weeks in orbit. Photo by William Godwin, Courtesy Varda Space Industries. Feb. 28, 2025. -
The W-2 spacecraft is seen reentering the Earth’s atmosphere from the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia. Photo by William Godwin, Courtesy Varda Space Industries.
Footage of the entire mission, from launch to landing, was shared on Varda’s X account.
This is the second time Varda has successfully landed a W-2 capsule and the first time a commercial space capsule has landed on Australian soil, the company said.
“We are ecstatic to have W-2 back on our home planet safely and are proud to support significant reentry research for our government partners as we continue building a thriving foundation for economic expansion to low Earth orbit,” Varda CEO Will Bruey said in a statement. “What’s next?”
Experts say the lack of gravity in space provides a unique laboratory for medical research, including the development of new drugs and therapies.