Varda Space Unveils Stunning Footage of Its Fiery Capsule Reentry — and the Future of Space-Based Drug Manufacturing
The American aerospace company Varda Space has released breathtaking footage of its W-Series 2 capsule blazing through Earth’s atmosphere. Behind this spectacular reentry lies a bold new vision — the creation of pharmaceutical factories in orbit.
After spending nearly six weeks in low Earth orbit, the small capsule made a safe return to Earth, landing in the Australian outback near Koonibba. The mission marks another step forward for Varda Space, whose ultimate goal is to provide in-space manufacturing services, producing materials and medicines that can only be made in microgravity.
Launched on January 14 aboard a SpaceX rocket, the capsule was mounted on a Rocket Lab satellite platform. It orbited the planet for six weeks before being deorbited on February 27. Once detached from the platform, the capsule streaked through the atmosphere at tremendous speed, surrounded by a glowing plasma trail — but thanks to its thermal protection, it survived intact. It then deployed a parachute and landed smoothly for recovery.
Atmospheric reentry as seen by the W2 capsule: magnificent! © Varda Space
Toward Space-Based Pharmaceutical Production
Inside the capsule were two key payloads: a spectrometer from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and a pharmaceutical reactor. The goal? To test whether Varda could successfully produce complex molecules in the unique conditions of microgravity — a breakthrough that could revolutionize drug manufacturing.
This was Varda Space’s second orbital mission. Its first capsule spent several months circling Earth between 2023 and 2024. The company’s third capsule (W-3) launched on March 15, once again aboard a SpaceX rocket, for another round of technology demonstration and materials research.
W-2 is back. What’s next? pic.twitter.com/z0gQhVC8Oy
— Varda Space Industries (@VardaSpace) February 28, 2025
A Fiery Return and Hypersonic Insights
The video of the capsule’s reentry is as scientifically valuable as it is visually stunning. During its descent, the spacecraft exceeded Mach 25 — that’s 25 times the speed of sound. At such extreme speeds, air friction generates enough heat to scorch the capsule’s outer surface, but its thermal shield keeps the interior safe.
Beyond the spectacle, the data collected will be used to advance hypersonic flight technologies, offering new insights into how materials and vehicles behave under the most extreme conditions imaginable.
Daniel Chrétien
Science writer
Passionate about space news, this self-taught enthusiast started the blog Rêves d’Espace before founding Spacekiwi, which he continues to develop with specialized content. He also works as a freelance journalist for Espace & Exploration and the European Laboratory for Future Studies, where he connects space developments with geopolitics, economics, and society. He hopes to preserve space as a domain of peace and scientific progress.