Successful completion of the Varda W-3 space mission with unique data on high-speed atmospheric entry.

The W-3 space mission of Varda Space Industries was successfully completed on May 14, 2025. The capsule, launched on March 14, 2025, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California as part of the SpaceX Transporter-13 mission, returned to Earth after 61 days in orbit.

The main goal of the mission was the delivery of an inertial measurement unit (IMU), developed jointly by the U.S. Air Force and Innovative Scientific Solutions Incorporated (ISSI). This IMU is designed to withstand extreme conditions during reentry and has successfully passed tests at speeds over 25 Mach.

The data collected during the high-speed descent of the capsule will be of great importance for the future improvement of spacecraft reentry technologies. The mission also demonstrates the importance of the return permit issued by Southern Launch in accordance with the amendments to the 2018 Space Launch and Reentry Act. This is the first of its kind permit for the return of a spacecraft produced in another country, which will facilitate the conduct of high-frequency reentry missions - a key aspect for the developing space manufacturing sector.

Southern Launch provided all necessary safety measures, including the management of airspace and sea, to ensure the safe landing of the capsule. Modern telescopes were used to track the descent and landing with the help of parachutes.

After landing, the capsule will be processed at the specialized facilities of Southern Launch, after which it will be sent to the headquarters of Varda Space Industries in Los Angeles for further analysis. The data obtained during the W-3 mission will play a key role in the development of high-speed spacecraft return systems and will expand the commercial potential of space exploration.