this post was submitted on 29 Feb 2024
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Astronomy

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Varda Space Industries’ spacecraft, W-1, successfully landed at the Utah Test and Training Range on February 21, 2024. This marks the first time a commercial company has landed a spacecraft on United States soil.

A camera installed inside W-1 captured the entire reentry in this first-of-its-kind video.

You’ll witness W-1 orbiting Earth in LEO, smooth separation from Rocket Lab’s satellite bus, and its trajectory as it reenters Earth’s atmosphere at speeds over Mach 25 before safely deploying its parachute and landing.

This successful launch and reentry was possible through Varda Space Industries’ partnership with Rocket Lab, SpaceX, the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the FAA.

Space is open for manufacturing.

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[–] SpiceDealer@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Damn it! Misread Leo as Lego and got excited at the prospect of a fully functional Lego spacecraft.