All articles tagged with #reentry capsule
SpaceX conducted a secretive test flight of a new saucer-shaped spacecraft called Starfall from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Marketed as a microgravity lab for in-space manufacturing and a rapid global delivery system, Starfall’s mission has sparked questions about military involvement given SpaceX’s defense contracts, with limited livestreaming and details on recovery and future availability remaining unclear.
SpaceX launched an uncrewed Starfall reentry capsule on a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral to demonstrate reentry capabilities and explore concepts like rapid cargo delivery and in-space manufacturing; the mission details remain partly undisclosed, FAA documents indicate two Starfall reentries, and the capsules would be recovered in the Pacific, while the first stage booster landed on a drone ship.
Varda Space Industries successfully obtained FAA approval for the reentry of its space capsule, marking the first commercial spacecraft landing at a military test range. The company's achievement was the result of navigating complex regulatory and bureaucratic processes, including securing a commercial reentry license and coordinating with government entities. The spacecraft landed in the Utah desert and was retrieved for transport back to Varda's headquarters, signaling a significant milestone for the in-space manufacturing company.
Varda Space Industries is awaiting an FAA license to bring back its W-Series 1 spacecraft, which was launched to test space manufacturing technologies. The company aims to return a capsule containing pharmaceutical experiments conducted in microgravity. Varda is the first to seek a reentry license under new FAA regulations, and the process has taken longer than expected. The company is working with government partners to resolve the issues and hopes to set the standard for future reentry licenses. The capsule's return date is uncertain but is expected in early to mid-August.