If you ’re wonder what it ’s like to number back to Earth from space , but do n’t want to put yourself through the training that astronauts do , we ’ve got the next best thing . Varda Space Industries ’ W-1 ballistic capsule successfully landed back on Earth after many months in space . And it has filmed its declivity back to Earth in splendiferous detail .
The capsule separated from the satellite bus which was its home in orbit since it was launched on it back in June 2023 . Over the 27 arcminute of in the altogether footage , the condensation ramify and movement towards its reentry trajectory before experience the flaming of atmospheric friction as the 90 - centimeter ( 3 - fundament ) capsule flies through the air . And you follow the journey along all the manner back to touch down .
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It landed back on Earth last hebdomad , on February 21 . The selected landing smear was the Utah Test and Training Range , the same location opt forOSIRIS - RExlast year . The cargo could n’t be different , though – not material from a pristine asteroid , but rather manufacture drug .
W-1 was a test condensation for the production of drugs inmicrogravity . Inside the capsule , the companionship make crystal of the antiretroviral drug Ritonavir , an antiviral drug that can be used in the intervention ofHIV , hepatitis C , and even COVID-19 . It was originally developed to work on its own but is now prescribed alongside other antiretroviral drug to handle these conditions .
Its time in place was spent on the Rocket Lab Photon spacecraft – it provided superpower , communication , terra firma control , and attitude control to Varda ’s ejector seat in field for over eight months .
“ This missionary work was a phenomenal exploit and impressive presentation of teamwork between the Rocket Lab and Varda teams to develop a unequalled and extremely capable space vehicle , successfully demonstrate in - space manufacturing , and bring back the condensation and complete pharmaceutic product – all on the first attack , ” Peter Beck , Rocket Lab founder and CEO , said in apress outlet .
The abridgment has been transmit back to California . escape data from the reentry will be shared with NASA and the U.S. Air Force and the pharmaceutic sample of ritonavir has been shipped toImproved Pharmafor analytic thinking .
