Rocket Lab Delivers Third In-Orbit Manufacturing Spacecraft for Varda Space Industries
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has delivered its third Pioneer spacecraft to Varda Space Industries at Vandenberg Space Force Base for the upcoming W-3 mission, marking the second delivery within a month. The spacecraft will support Varda's orbital processing and hypersonic reentry mission, providing essential functions for Varda's 120kg manufacturing capsule that produces products in microgravity.
The previous mission, W-2, is currently operating in orbit, conducting research for the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA's Ames Research Center. The Pioneer spacecraft integrates various components including propulsion, flight software, avionics, and other subsystems. After completing orbital production, the capsule will conduct reentry maneuvers and land at Australia's Koonibba Test Range.
W-3 is scheduled for launch no earlier than March from VSFB, while the fourth and final spacecraft for Varda is being assembled at Rocket Lab's facility in Long Beach, California.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) ha consegnato il suo terzo veicolo spaziale Pioneer a Varda Space Industries presso la Vandenberg Space Force Base per la prossima missione W-3, segnando la seconda consegna in un mese. Il veicolo spaziale supporterà il processo orbitale e la missione di rientro ipersonico di Varda, fornendo funzioni essenziali per la capsula di produzione da 120 kg di Varda che produce prodotti in microgravità.
La missione precedente, W-2, è attualmente operativa in orbita, conducendo ricerche per il Laboratorio di Ricerca dell'Air Force e il NASA's Ames Research Center. Il veicolo spaziale Pioneer integra vari componenti tra cui propulsione, software di volo, avionica e altri sottosistemi. Dopo aver completato la produzione orbitale, la capsula eseguirà manovre di rientro e atterrerà presso il Koonibba Test Range in Australia.
La W-3 è programmata per il lancio non prima di marzo dalla VSFB, mentre il quarto e ultimo veicolo spaziale per Varda è in fase di assemblaggio presso lo stabilimento della Rocket Lab a Long Beach, California.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) ha entregado su tercera nave espacial Pioneer a Varda Space Industries en la Base de la Fuerza Espacial Vandenberg para la próxima misión W-3, marcando la segunda entrega en un mes. La nave espacial apoyará el procesamiento orbital y la misión de reentrada hipersónica de Varda, proporcionando funciones esenciales para la cápsula de fabricación de 120 kg de Varda que produce productos en microgravedad.
La misión anterior, W-2, está actualmente operativa en órbita, realizando investigaciones para el Laboratorio de Investigación de la Fuerza Aérea y el Centro de Investigación Ames de la NASA. La nave espacial Pioneer integra varios componentes, incluidos propulsión, software de vuelo, aviónica y otros subsistemas. Después de completar la producción orbital, la cápsula realizará maniobras de reentrada y aterrizará en el Koonibba Test Range en Australia.
La W-3 está programada para lanzarse a más tardar en marzo desde la VSFB, mientras que la cuarta y última nave espacial para Varda se está ensamblando en la instalación de Rocket Lab en Long Beach, California.
로켓랩 (RKLB)이 다음 W-3 미션을 위해 반덴버그 우주군 기지에 있는 바르다 스페이스 인더스트리에게 세 번째 파이오니어 우주선을 전달했습니다. 이는 한 달 사이 두 번째 전달입니다. 이 우주선은 바르다의 궤도 처리 및 극초음속 재진입 미션을 지원하며, 미세 중력에서 제품을 생산하는 바르다의 120kg 제조 캡슐에 필수 기능을 제공합니다.
이전 미션인 W-2는 현재 궤도에서 운영 중이며, 공군 연구소 및 NASA의 에임스 연구 센터를 위한 연구를 수행하고 있습니다. 파이오니어 우주선은 추진력, 비행 소프트웨어, 항공 전자 장치 및 기타 하위 시스템 등 다양한 구성 요소를 통합하고 있습니다. 궤도 생산을 완료한 후, 캡슐은 재진입 조작을 수행하고 호주의 쿤이바 시험장에서 착륙할 예정입니다.
W-3은 VSFB에서 3월 이전에 발사될 예정이며, 바르다를 위한 네 번째이자 마지막 우주선은 캘리포니아 롱비치에 있는 로켓랩 시설에서 조립 중입니다.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) a livré son troisième vaisseau spatial Pioneer à Varda Space Industries à la base de la Force spatiale de Vandenberg pour la prochaine mission W-3, marquant la deuxième livraison en un mois. Le vaisseau spatial soutiendra le traitement orbital et la mission de rentrée hypersonique de Varda, fournissant des fonctions essentielles pour la capsule de fabrication de 120 kg de Varda qui produit des produits en microgravité.
La mission précédente, W-2, est actuellement opérationnelle en orbite, menant des recherches pour le Laboratoire de recherche de l'Air Force et le Centre de recherche Ames de la NASA. Le vaisseau spatial Pioneer intègre divers composants, notamment la propulsion, le logiciel de vol, l'avionique et d'autres sous-systèmes. Après avoir terminé la production orbitale, la capsule effectuera des manœuvres de rentrée et atterrira au Koonibba Test Range en Australie.
La W-3 est programmée pour un lancement au plus tôt en mars depuis la VSFB, tandis que le quatrième et dernier vaisseau spatial pour Varda est en cours d'assemblage dans l'établissement de Rocket Lab à Long Beach, Californie.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) hat sein drittes Pioneer-Raumschiff an Varda Space Industries an der Vandenberg Space Force Base für die bevorstehende W-3-Mission geliefert, was die zweite Lieferung innerhalb eines Monats markiert. Das Raumschiff wird Vardas orbitaler Verarbeitung und hypersonischer Rückkehrmission unterstützen und wesentliche Funktionen für Vardas 120 kg schwere Produktionskapsel bereitstellen, die Produkte in Mikrogravitation herstellt.
Die vorherige Mission, W-2, ist derzeit im Orbit aktiv und führt Forschungen für das Air Force Research Laboratory und das Ames Research Center der NASA durch. Das Pioneer-Raumschiff integriert verschiedene Komponenten, darunter Antrieb, Flugsoftware, Avionik und andere Teilsysteme. Nach Abschluss der orbitalen Produktion wird die Kapsel Rückkehrmanöver durchführen und im Koonibba Test Range in Australien landen.
Die W-3 ist für einen Start frühestens im März von der VSFB geplant, während das vierte und letzte Raumschiff für Varda in der Einrichtung von Rocket Lab in Long Beach, Kalifornien, montiert wird.
- Successful delivery of third spacecraft demonstrates production scalability
- Second spacecraft (W-2) already operating successfully in orbit
- Secured contracts with major clients (Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA)
- Expanding manufacturing capabilities with fourth spacecraft in production
- None.
Insights
The delivery of Rocket Lab's third Pioneer spacecraft marks a pivotal advancement in commercial space manufacturing infrastructure. The rapid succession of deliveries - two spacecraft within a month - demonstrates exceptional operational efficiency and manufacturing scalability, positioning Rocket Lab as a key enabler in the emerging in-space manufacturing economy.
The vertical integration strategy employed in the Pioneer spacecraft program, incorporating proprietary components from propulsion to flight software, provides Rocket Lab with significant competitive advantages: enhanced quality control, optimized costs, and accelerated production timelines. This approach typically yields higher profit margins compared to traditional aerospace subcontracting models.
The partnership with Varda Space Industries represents a strategic revenue stream with strong growth potential. Each Pioneer spacecraft supports Varda's 120kg manufacturing capsule, enabling pharmaceutical production in microgravity - a market projected to reach billions in value. The successful operation of W-2 and imminent launch of W-3 validates the commercial viability of this business model.
The demonstrated capability to manage multiple complex missions simultaneously while maintaining rapid delivery schedules positions Rocket Lab advantageously in the space systems market. This operational excellence, combined with the company's end-to-end space solutions approach, creates significant barriers to entry for competitors and strengthens Rocket Lab's market position in the growing space economy.
The Pioneer spacecraft designed, built, and tested by Rocket Lab is the second spacecraft delivered to Varda for launch within a month.
Rocket Lab's third Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries W-3 mission in the cleanroom of the Company's Spacecraft Production Complex in
The spacecraft will support Varda’s next orbital processing and hypersonic reentry mission, W-3. Earlier this month, the Company’s second spacecraft for Varda, W-2, successfully launched and is currently operating on orbit. Carrying payloads from the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA’S Ames Research Center, W-2 will also conduct research to expand the capability and capacity of Varda’s pharmaceutical processing hardware in orbit before it’s hypersonic re-entry and recovery in
Like its predecessors, W-3 is based on Rocket Lab’s Pioneer spacecraft, leveraging vertically integrated spacecraft components and subsystems, including spacecraft propulsion, flight software, avionics, reaction wheels, star trackers, separation system, solar panels, radios, composite structures and tanks, and more. The spacecraft will provide power, communications, propulsion, and attitude control for Varda’s 120kg manufacturing capsule, which uses microgravity conditions to develop products that are difficult or impossible to create on Earth.
Once on-orbit production is complete, Rocket Lab and Varda will conduct in-space operations, reentry positioning maneuvers to deorbit, land, and recover Varda’s capsule in
Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO, stated, "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."
"By increasing the cadence of manufacture, launch, and reentry, we are building the foundation for a thriving orbital economy," said Wendy Shimata, Varda Space Industries Vice President of Autonomous Systems. "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
Learn more about Rocket Lab’s spacecraft for Varda: Varda Space Industries | Rocket Lab (rocketlabusa.com)
+ About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in
+ Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
+ About Varda
Varda Space Industries is making reentry as common as launch. We are building the infrastructure for a thriving low Earth orbit economy, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. The company operates out of
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+ Rocket Lab Media Contact
Lindsay McLaurin
media@rocketlabusa.com
+ Varda media contact
Media@varda.com
Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
FAQ
When is Rocket Lab's W-3 mission for Varda Space Industries scheduled to launch?
What is the purpose of RKLB's Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries?
How many Pioneer spacecraft has RKLB delivered to Varda Space Industries?
Where will Varda's W-3 mission capsule land after completing its orbital manufacturing?
What payloads is RKLB's W-2 mission carrying in orbit?
