Varda Space Industries is focusing on Australia for further flights after encountering difficulties landing its first in-space production capsule in the United States.
Varda Space Industries is focusing on Australia for further flights after encountering difficulties landing its first in-space production capsule in the United States.
A partnership between the California-based corporation and Southern Launch, an Australian end-to-end launch service provider, has been revealed. The mission will be carried out at the isolated Kooniba Test Range in the western region of South Australia. Varda plans to maybe unveil his next project around the middle of 2024.
While Varda’s first in-space manufacturing capsule, which launched in June, remains stranded in orbit after being denied reentry to Earth, the company is forging ahead with new plans.
The U.S. Air Force rejected Varda’s request to land the capsule at a Utah training area, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) did not grant permission for reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, the capsule, designed to produce products in a microgravity environment and transport them back to Earth, remains in space.
The 264-pound (120-kilogram) capsule achieved success in its first mission by growing crystals of the HIV treatment drug ritonavir in orbit. These protein crystals, grown in space, tend to be larger and more flawless than those produced on Earth, according to NASA.
Despite the successful crystal growth, the mission fell short of achieving its primary goal of bringing the products back to Earth. The FAA cited concerns over safety, risk, and impact analysis as the basis for their decision not to grant reentry permission.
Varda’s President and Co-founder, Delian Asparouhov, attributed the initial challenges to a coordination lapse among the involved parties. He explained, “It ultimately just comes down to the fact that Varda, FAA, and UTTR have never attempted something like this. It’s pretty complicated to align all these organizations that have a variety of different regulatory approvals and safety officers.”
The Koonibba test range, spanning 8,880 square miles (23,000 square kilometers) of uninhabited land, offers a suitable area for the reentry of in-space manufacturing capsules. Targeting a different continent altogether appears to be a strategic move for Varda, potentially streamlining the regulatory process compared to navigating frameworks within the United States.
With its sights set on Australia, Varda Space Industries is poised to usher in a new chapter in in-space manufacturing, capitalizing on the expansive opportunities and regulatory support available in the region.