Varda’s W-3 spacecraft will test an advanced navigation system in orbit that has been developed by the US Air Force, before re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere in the coming weeks.
The launch comes just 15 days after the company’s previous capsule touched down at the site, operated by Southern Launch, carrying a payload that aimed to test pharmaceutical drugs in orbit.
It marked the first time a commercial spacecraft re-entry was granted under Australian legislation in a landmark moment for the local industry.
The new W-3 vehicle is carrying an Inertial Measurement Unit, a device that can measure an object's motion, orientation, and velocity.
Varda aims to test how it will react in space and also how it will survive the extreme conditions encountered when hurtling back through the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds exceeding Mach 25.
“Everything from cars to wearable fitness trackers have similar devices to tell their computer the orientation and location without the aid of an external signal like a GPS, though commercial IMUs are notoriously inaccurate at high-speed conditions,” explained Varda.
“Varda's capsule can help test these devices for our government and commercial partners to advance research into high-hypersonic technologies.”
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The deal with between Southern Launch and Varda was announced in 2023 and landings were effectively given the go-ahead after the Australian Space Agency granted the SA-based firm authorisation late last year.
“Southern Launch secured a series permit to enable our customer Varda to bring their capsules back to Earth as soon as they are ready,” said the launch company’s CEO, Lloyd Damp.
“Enabling high cadence missions is essential to support in-space manufacturing and Southern Launch has demonstrated our capability to support this emerging industry.”
Varda, meanwhile, believes in-space manufacturing could lead to the development of lifesaving treatments because of the natural advantages of being away from Earth, including microgravity and a vacuum.
“High hypersonic flow conditions are impossible to replicate on the ground, and flight testing is the only way to advance our understanding of the unique aerothermal chemistry experienced by spacecraft on their way back to Earth,” Varda said previously.
“Additionally, most test vehicles are not recoverable and are often limited to lower hypersonic conditions that do not provide a complete picture of the environment with adequate heat loads, pressures and plasma formation.”
W-3 launched onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 that was part of SpaceX’s huge Transporter-13 mission.
The mission carried 74 payloads, including CubeSats, microsats, hosted payloads, a re-entry capsule, and an orbital transfer vehicle carrying a further 11 payloads.
Also onboard was Defence’s second Buccaneer satellite that aims to help fine-tune the performance of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN).
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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