September 20, 2023
2 min read
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Key takeaways:
- Varda Space Industries launched a mission to manufacture ritonavir crystals in low Earth orbit.
- The spacecraft was denied reentry because of safety concerns at its intended landing site.
A spacecraft being used to manufacture a crystalized version of the HIV drug ritonavir in low Earth orbit has been denied reentry and permission to land in the United States, Healio confirmed.
The U.S. Air Force told Varda Space Industries that it could not use its intended landing site in Utah because of safety concerns.
Varda Space Industries’ capsule was launched into low Earth orbit by a SpaceX rocket on June 12 to conduct experiments on the HIV drug ritonavir. Image: Varda Space Industries
“The request to use the Utah Test and Training Range for the landing location was not granted at this time due to the overall safety, risk and impact analysis,” Micah J. Garbarino, a spokesperson for the Air Force’s 388th Fighter Wing, which operates the range, told Healio.
“In a separate process, the [Federal Aviation Administration] has not granted a reentry license,” Garbarino said. “All organizations continue working to explore recovery options.”
The FAA denied the reentry license on Sept. 6 after Varda “did not demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements,” an FAA spokesperson told Healio.
The spokesperson said Varda formally requested on Sept. 8 that the FAA reconsider its decision. That request is still pending, the spokesperson said.
Tech Crunch first reported the delayed reentry.
Ritonavir, a protease inhibitor, is used in drug combinations to boost the activity of other HIV medications. It is also one of two medications in the COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid.
Varda launched its W-Series 1 Satellite space factory from Vandenberg Air Force Base on June 12 aboard SpaceX’s Transport-8 and conducted melt/cool experiments in the capsule to grow new ritonavir crystals. It completed manufacturing in mid-July and has since been working to bring its spacecraft home, the company said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
The capsule was originally scheduled to return to Earth on July 17 after being sent on a return trajectory by a spacecraft manufactured and operated by the private space company Rocket Lab. Once the craft has reentered the atmosphere, parachutes help it slow down for a safe landing.
The solar powered 120 kg capsule is the first of four spacecraft ordered by Varda as it aims to test methods of producing pharmaceuticals in space. The second spacecraft is currently undergoing assembly and testing, according to Rocket Lab.
Varda declined to comment for this story. The company said in a Sept. 15 post on X that the spacecraft is “healthy across all systems” and can stay in orbit for up to a year, if need be.
Although pharmaceutical research and development has been conducted in space for decades on board the International Space Station, Varda’s capsule is the first private endeavor used for such research work. The second, third and fourth launches are planned to occur before 2025, according to a draft environmental assessment Varda filed with the FAA.
References:
- Alamalhodaei A. Varda Space puts off orbital factory reentry pending Air Force and FAA green light. Tech Crunch. Sept. 15, 2023. Accessed Sept. 20, 2023. https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/15/varda-space-puts-off-orbital-factory-reentry-pending-air-force-and-faa-green-light/.
- FAA. Draft environmental assessment for reentry, landing and recovery operations of a Varda Space Industries capsule within Utah Test and Training Range South or Northern Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/20230328_Varda_Draft_EA_Reentry_at_UTTR_for_public_review.pdf. Published March 2023. Accessed Sept. 20, 2023.
- HIV.gov. Drug database: ritonavir. https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/drugs/ritonavir/patient. Last reviewed May 18, 2023. Accessed Sept. 20, 2023.
- Improved Pharma and Varda Space Industries conducting pharmaceutical experiments in space. https://www.prweb.com/releases/improved-pharma-and-varda-space-industries-conducting-pharmaceutical-experiments-in-space-828251878.html. Published June 14, 2023. Accessed Sept. 20, 2023.
- Rocket Lab spacecraft built for Varda successfully operating on orbit. https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-spacecraft-built-for-varda-successfully-operating-on-orbit/. Published June 12, 2023. Accessed Sept. 20, 2023.
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