Varda Space Industries has obtained a license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to facilitate the return of a capsule from its inaugural mission, marking a significant milestone after facing initial setbacks.
On February 14, the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation granted Varda a reentry license for its W-Series 1 spacecraft. This authorization enables the company to land the capsule at the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) and the neighboring Dugway Proving Ground near Salt Lake City, with the reentry scheduled for February 21.
In a statement, Varda expressed gratitude for the collaboration with government agencies and its satellite partner, Rocket Lab, in ensuring a safe return from space. The company launched the W-Series 1 spacecraft in June aboard SpaceX's Transporter-8 rideshare mission, conducting experiments to produce crystals in microgravity.
Efforts to secure a reentry license encountered delays, with Varda initially aiming for a mid-July return. Challenges included navigating new regulations under Part 450 and coordinating with multiple stakeholders. Delian Asparouhov, Varda's co-founder, highlighted coordination issues among different groups involved in the process.
The FAA's approval of Varda's reentry license marks a historic moment, as it represents the first issuance of a Part 450 license for spacecraft landing on U.S. soil by a commercial entity. Varda expressed pride in achieving this milestone in partnership with government agencies, emphasizing their commitment to fostering safe innovation in the United States.
The conical capsule, measuring approximately 90 centimeters across and 74 centimeters high, weighs less than 90 kilograms. Its landing area spans an ellipse covering parts of UTTR and Dugway Proving Ground, with the main spacecraft expected to burn up during reentry.
An environmental assessment considered various potential landing sites, ultimately selecting UTTR/Dugway due to controlled access and safety requirements. While non-U.S. locations were ruled out for this mission due to logistical complexities, Varda has secured an agreement with Southern Launch in Australia for future capsule returns.
The partnership with Southern Launch offers additional options for Varda's upcoming missions, with the potential utilization of the Koonibba Test Range for its second mission slated for mid-2024.