The W-3 capsule, developed by Varda Space Industries, carried a cutting-edge Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) payload designed by the US Air Force and Innovative Scientific Solutions Incorporated (ISSI). The IMU, engineered to withstand extreme reentry conditions, was tested at velocities exceeding Mach 25 as it returned to Earth's atmosphere, providing critical data for future aerospace applications.
Touching down at 11:47 AM local time after 61 days in orbit, the W-3 capsule's high-speed descent provided valuable data for researchers and marked a significant step in refining space reentry technologies. The mission also underscored the importance of Southern Launch's series return authorisation, secured under the amended Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018. This permit, the first of its kind for a domestically returning spacecraft, supports high-cadence reentry missions essential for the growing in-space manufacturing sector.
During the W-3 mission, Southern Launch coordinated extensive safety measures, including air and sea space management, to ensure a secure landing environment. Advanced tracking telescopes were deployed to monitor the capsule's descent and touchdown under parachute, reflecting the company's commitment to operational precision.
Post-landing, the recovered capsule will be processed at Southern Launch's dedicated facilities before being transported to Varda's headquarters in Los Angeles for further analysis. The W-3 capsule was initially launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter-13 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on March 14, 2025, supported by a Rocket Lab Pioneer satellite.
W-3 mission data will play a vital role in advancing high-speed reentry systems and expanding the commercial potential of space.
Related Links
Southern Launch
Varda Space Industries
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com
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