Moonshot #22

I don't know about you, but we're feeling (Moonshot edition) 22.

Varda Space’s W-1 capsule touched down in Utah on February 21st, many months after first applying for a reentry license. Credit: Varda Space Industries

Varda Space Industries – Stranded no more is Varda’s orbiting space pharmacy, which has been fighting for its reentry license from the FAA since mid-July 2023. Finally, after an approval on February 14th, a Rocket Lab spacecraft guided Varda’s capsule to a “safe and compliant return from space,” landing within the Utah Test and Training Range on February 21st. Weighing less than 90 kilograms, the capsule is essentially a mini drug factory, which was able to manufacture crystals of ritonavir – a drug used in HIV treatment – in microgravity. Only now that the capsule is back on Earth will Varda get to assess and make necessary adjustments to the capsule, while pharmaceutical company Improved Pharma will examine the drug crystals. While the landing was ultimately successful in the U.S. – and is now the first to utilize the newly developed Part 450 FAA reentry license – Varda has already signed a contract to land its next capsule in the less trafficked Koonibba Test Range of South Australia.

Intuitive Machines – As covered in Continuum on Friday, Houston-based Intuitive Machines landed their Odysseus spacecraft on the moon on Thursday, February 22nd. The feat has been celebrated over the past few days, for achieving not only the historic milestone of becoming the first commercial spacecraft from the U.S. to land on the lunar surface, but also the first American spacecraft to land and tip since 1972. In the wake of the cheers, we do start this week with more questions to be answered. After initially confirming the craft’s upright position via X on the evening of the landing, Intuitive Machines followed up the next day correcting this conclusion – which they claim was based on “stale” telemetry data –  clarifying that Odysseus was actually tipped on its side. Although the company has assured the public that the lander maintains “quite a bit of operation capability” in its condition, some question the timing of the press conference announcing the correction…at market close on Friday. Guess not everyone likes to start their weekend with a rendition of Tom Petty’s ‘Free Fallin’ stock price. Although, that couldn’t save shares from tumbling 36% on Monday especially following news that the mission would be cut short. The thing is, the mission is still a big step forward regardless of Odysseus’s exact positioning; but, we do hope for more transparency going forward. Until then, the public eagerly awaits new imagery from the lunar surface, some upholding an understandable “pics or it didn’t happen” cautiousness.  

Northwood Space – It’s not often we get a space update on Deadline, but this week we learned that former Disney Channel star and singer Bridgit Mendler is trading her Hollywood stardom for the title of CEO of a new satellite ground station startup, Northwood Space. Known for hit shows from “Good Luck Charlie” to “Wizards of Waverly Place,” Mendler was drawn to the final frontier in the last few years, pursuing degrees at both MIT and Harvard – a PhD and law degree, respectively. Mendler cited the gap in efficient data transmission systems between Earth and the cosmos for inspiring the company, which endeavors to bring “the impacts of space home to people,” according to her interview with CNBC. Along with CTO Griffin Cleverly and Head of Software Shaurya Luthra – former Lockheed Martin players – Mendler is basing the satellite data company in El Segundo. To the trio we’ll say, Good Luck Charlie Northwood!