The Varda Space Industries W-3 capsule payload was an advanced navigation system called an Inertial Measurement Unit developed by the US Air Force and Innovative Scientific Solutions Incorporated. The payload was tested at reentry speeds it was designed to withstand but has never encountered before.
The W-3 capsule touched down at 11:47AM local time after spending 61 days in orbit. The Varda capsule reentered the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds exceeding Mach 25 providing a unique environment that offers researchers a chance to gather data for multiple applications.
Recovery operations were led by Southern Launch with Varda payload experts. The recovered capsule will undergo processing with Varda’s payload partners at Southern Launch’s specialist facilities before it is returned to the Varda headquarters in Los Angeles for further analysis.
