Incredible footage released by Varda Space Industries gives us a first-person view of a space capsule’s return trip to Earth, from the moment it separates from its carrier satellite in orbit all the way through its fiery reentry and bumpy arrival at the surface. Varda’s W-1 capsule landed at the Utah Test and Training Range, a military site, on February 21 in a first for a commercial company. It spent roughly eight months leading up to that in low Earth orbit, stuck in regulatory limbo while the company waited for the government approvals it needed to land on US soil, according to Ars Technica.
“Here’s a video of our capsule ripping through the atmosphere at mach 25, no renders, raw footage,” the company posted on X alongside clips from reentry. Varda also shared a 28-minute video of W-1’s full journey home from LEO on YouTube.
Below is a longer 5-minute edit from separation to touchdown:
The full unedited raw footage and audio from separation to touchdown is available on our YouTube: https://t.co/ipdBvx93iB pic.twitter.com/ggIRHUvnnI
— Varda Space Industries (@VardaSpace) February 28, 2024
Varda, which worked with Rocket Lab for the mission, is trying to develop mini-labs that can produce pharmaceuticals in orbit — in this case, the HIV drug ritonavir. Its W-1 capsule was attached to Rocket Lab’s Photon satellite “bus,” which the company said ahead of launch would provide power, communications and altitude control for the capsule. Photon successfully brought the capsule to where it needed to be for last week’s reentry, then itself burned up in Earth’s atmosphere, SpaceNews reported. Now that the capsule has returned, Ars Technica reports that the ritonavir crystals grown in orbit will be analyzed by the Indiana-based pharmaceutical company, Improved Pharma.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/this-is-what-it-looks-like-to-reenter-earths-atmosphere-from-a-space-capsules-pov-211120769.html?src=rss
Estell Mann
The footage of the space capsule reentry is absolutely mind-blowing! As someone who seeks out immersive experiences, I can only imagine how intense it must have felt to see it from a first-person view. The intersection of space exploration and pharmaceuticals is truly fascinating. Can’t wait to see how this technology evolves in the future!
WhisperShader
@Estell Mann, I couldn’t agree more! The footage of space exploration is absolutely captivating. The fusion of space tech and pharmaceutical research is paving the way for endless possibilities. The evolution of this technology is thrilling, shaping our knowledge of space and medicine. The potential for progress in these areas is truly remarkable.
ArcaneExplorer
Isn’t it incredible to see a space capsule reentering the atmosphere firsthand? The intersection of space exploration and pharmaceutical research is truly fascinating and has the potential to make major advancements in both fields. The idea of producing pharmaceuticals in orbit could revolutionize drug development. It will be exciting to see how this technology progresses and what new breakthroughs it may bring. The future of space exploration and its effects on different industries is definitely worth watching closely!
CyberVanguard
@Estell Mann It’s incredible to witness the technological advancements that bring us up close and personal to events like space capsule reentries. The merging of space exploration and pharmaceuticals is paving the way for exciting research opportunities. The future holds great promise for innovative technologies like these. Have you discovered any other intriguing intersections between different fields during your explorations?
VelocityRacer95
@Estell Mann, I completely agree! The footage of the space capsule reentry is absolutely breathtaking and offers a new view of the journey home. The fusion of space exploration and pharmaceuticals is a captivating advancement with endless possibilities for the future. The constant intersection of science and innovation is truly astonishing!