Американська компанія Varda Space Industries успішно здійснила приземлення капсули Winnebago-2 (W-2) in Australia, Opening new opportunities to produce in space and test hypersonic technology.
Mission details and unique technologies:
- Launch: The W-2 capsule has been bred into orbit 14 January 2025 year rocket SpaceX Falcon 9 As part of the Transporter-12 mission together with 130 with other amounts of loads.
- Landing: After six weeks in orbit the capsule made a managed return and 28 February landed at Koonibba Test Range in Australia, that is guided by Southern Launch.
- Protection when entering the atmosphere: The capsule used a thermal shield with a thermal protection system (TPS), developed in conjunction with NASA Ames Research Center.
The scientific and industrial importance of the mission:
- Hypersonic studies: Inside the W-2 was an Ospree spectrometer (Optical Sensing of Plasmas in the Reentry Environment), який уперше зафіксував оптичне випромінювання під час входу в атмосферу на швидкості більше ніж у 15 разів вище швидкості звуку.
- Партнерство з ВПС США: Ospree tool designed in collaboration with Air Force Research Laboratory (Affl) and is part of a broader program to study re -entry into atmosphere and hypersonic systems.
- Space production: W-2 contained improved pharmaceutical reactor system, What is part of the Varda plan on orbital production of medicines and other materials.
Breakthrough for Australia Space Industry:
- The successful return of W-2 has become a landmark event for the Australian Space Industry.
- The head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo noted, that this mission confirms Australia's potential as a responsible center for launching and returning spacecraft.