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W-Series Spacecraft
Free-flying orbital production satellite with an integrated reentry capsule. It processes materials in microgravity independently of any space station, then returns the finished product to Earth under parachute.
Varda Space IndustriesReentry & Hypersonic Testbed
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The W-Series capsule sold as a flight environment rather than a factory: a repeatable, low-cost way for defense and civil customers to test thermal protection materials, sensors, and guidance systems in real hypersonic reentry conditions.
Latest update Jul 29, 2026
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Current status
W-6 launched in March 2026 and returned May 19, 2026 as a dedicated testbed flight funded through the Air Force Research Laboratory's Prometheus program, carrying NASA and defense payloads and validating next-generation thermal protection systems and autonomous navigation. W-5 carried a U.S. Navy payload on its January 2026 return.
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Specifications3
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