Rocket Lab delivers third Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space

Rocket Lab has delivered another Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries to Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) in preparation for launch. This marks the third Pioneer spacecraft produced for Varda and the second delivered for launch within a month.

The spacecraft will support Varda’s upcoming orbital processing and hypersonic reentry mission, W-3. Earlier this month, the company’s W-2 mission launched successfully and is currently operating in orbit. W-2 carries payloads from the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA’s Ames Research Center, advancing research to enhance Varda’s pharmaceutical processing technology in space before its scheduled hypersonic reentry and recovery in South Australia.

Like its predecessors, W-3 is based on Rocket Lab’s Pioneer spacecraft, incorporating vertically integrated components such as propulsion systems, flight software, avionics, reaction wheels, solar panels and communications equipment. The spacecraft will provide essential support, including power and propulsion, for Varda’s 120kg manufacturing capsule, which utilises microgravity to develop products not feasible on Earth.

Upon completing on-orbit production, Rocket Lab and Varda will execute in-space operations, including reentry positioning manoeuvres to deorbit, land and recover the capsule at Australia’s Koonibba Test Range, managed by Southern Launch.

Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO, said: “Delivering W-3 while W-2 is actively operating in orbit demonstrates our team’s exceptional ability to manage multiple complex missions in parallel. It really highlights the skill of our team and the strength of our integrated spacecraft technologies.”

Wendy Shimata, Varda Space Industries Vice President of Autonomous Systems, added: “By increasing the cadence of manufacture, launch, and reentry, we are building the foundation for a thriving orbital economy. Our goal is to decrease the time between missions until it’s commonplace for capsules to bring products made in space back to people on Earth.

W-3 is scheduled for launch no earlier than March from VSFB. The fourth and final spacecraft for Varda is currently undergoing final assembly at Rocket Lab’s Spacecraft Production Complex and Headquarters in Long Beach, California.