Title: Varda Space Industries’ Commercial Spacecraft Awaits Approval to Return to Earth
Subtitle: Government Denies Varda Reentry License for Remotely Landing Spacecraft
Date: [Insert Date]
Varda Space Industries, a pioneering in-space manufacturing startup, has faced a setback in its mission as its commercial spacecraft remains in orbit two months longer than planned. The spacecraft, equipped with a recoverable capsule designed to return pharmaceutical specimens to Earth, is awaiting government approval to proceed with its return journey.
Launched on June 12, Varda’s satellite was initially slated for a month-long mission aimed at showcasing the company’s technology for producing commercial materials in space, particularly pharmaceuticals. However, the recovery of Varda’s capsule has been temporarily halted after both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the US Air Force declined to grant approval for its landing in a remote area of Utah.
In a statement to Ars, an FAA spokesperson revealed that Varda Space Industries had launched its vehicle without a reentry license, leading to the denial of the company’s application. The spokesperson further stated that Varda had requested a reconsideration of the decision, which is currently pending.
According to reports, Varda had targeted landing opportunities on September 5 and 7 at the Utah Test and Training Range, but both the FAA and the Air Force denied permission for landing based on safety, risk, and impact analysis. Varda and government officials are now exploring alternative recovery options.
Varda Space Industries, while declining to comment on the matter, assured its followers on social media that its spacecraft is in good health and designed for up to one year in orbit if necessary. The company expressed its commitment to working with government partners to bring the capsule back to Earth at the earliest possible opportunity.
The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Operations is primarily responsible for licensing commercial launch and reentry operations. While the office has been mainly focused on reviewing launch licenses, reentry licensing is still relatively new. As seen in the case of SpaceX’s Starship rocket, FAA reviews can delay test flights, but the close cooperation between the company and federal officials allows for corrective actions to be taken.
It is worth noting that Varda’s reentry vehicle is part of a first-of-its-kind series and is significantly smaller and less complex than other commercial reentry vehicles like SpaceX’s Dragon and Boeing’s Starliner. Varda’s Co-founder, Delian Asparouhov, explained that their vehicle aims to be a cost-effective and soon-refurbished option for regular space missions, unlike the more luxurious and intricate alternatives.
Varda’s successful completion of an experiment involving the growth of ritonavir crystals showcases the potential of its technology to produce pharmaceuticals in space. The company has plans for additional missions and aims to capitalize on the microgravity environment for specific industries like drug development, semiconductors, and fiber optics.
While Varda awaits the green light to return to Earth, the incident emphasizes the regulatory challenges associated with commercial reentry operations. The FAA’s increasing workload due to the rising number of commercial launches highlights the need for additional resources to ensure efficient and effective oversight of the fast-growing commercial space industry.
As the regulatory process unfolds, Varda Space Industries remains hopeful that it will soon receive the necessary approvals to bring its spacecraft and valuable pharmaceutical specimens safely back to Earth.