In a few weeks, the first prototype of Varda Space will be in orbit around the Earth. But it is not a satellite like the others: it will take advantage of weightlessness to manufacture complex pharmaceutical products, fiber optics and semiconductors before bringing them back to Earth.
A new opportunity that attracts investors… and raises questions.
A real little factory
It’s a particular vehicle that’s currently being prepared in California before it lifts off (along with a bunch of other satellites) with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
This first vehicle from Varda Space has a very special payload. Using a specific manufacturing device, it will produce crystalline molecules whose structure is more effective when formulated in weightlessness, in this case ritonavir, an antiviral used in treatments against COVID (Paxlovid), but also against AIDS. Several experiments on crystalline molecules have already shown results within the International Space Station. Here, however, it is no longer a question of research, but of production.
Varda’s objective is indeed to bring back to Earth the fruit of what will be generated in orbit. The satellite, produced by Rocket Lab, is equipped with a 120 kilo capsule (empty) which will normally be able to brake to land on Earth with between 50 and 60 kilos of material produced in Earth orbit. Of course, it remains for this prototype to show its production capacities once in orbit, then to bring the famous molecules back to Earth. These should be carefully analyzed before showing that the technique is perfect.
Made in Orbit, really?
Varda Space, a company currently valued at around $500 million, intends to take the demonstration step. It has already ordered four satellites from Rocket Lab. Investors have so far viewed in-orbit production as a technology of the future, but it needs to live up to the promises. In addition to pharmaceutical adventures (which hold great potential), Varda also intends to experiment with its mini-factories to produce optical fibers with a “perfect” structure of incomparable quality, as well as new generation semiconductors.
Finally, the small capsule itself has potential for returning equipment to Earth (this is quite unusual) and for hypersonic flight. To this end, it is obviously the American Department of Defense which has positioned itself on the niche for a mission, once again, of demonstration. Everyone wants to know what Varda is capable of…
Source : RocketLab
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