Varda Space postpones orbital factory re-entry while awaiting green light from Air Force and FAA

THE WE. Air Force denied A recent request Since Varda Space Industries has to land It is capsule has A Utah training area, push back THE startups plans has to show disabled THE fruits of It is in the space manufacturing, TechCrunch has learned. THE the company application For A commercial space Licence was Also denied by THE WE. Federal Aviation Administration, A FAA spokesperson said.

Varda initially foreseen has bring back A capsule containing crystals of ritonavir, A medicine used has to treat HIV, In mid-July. After announcing that had has been delayed, THE business was look has September 5 And 7, A source said TechCrunch. This information was confirmed by USAF.

THE business decreases has comment, but job on X that THE "spatialship East in good health through all systems » And that they are continue has collaborate with regulators has bring THE capsule back has Earth. They added that THE spatialship can survive For up has A year in orbit.

" September. 5 And 7 were their primary targets”, A spokesperson For THE USAF said In A sent by email statement. "THE request has to use THE Utah Test And Training Range For THE landing location was not granted has This time due has THE generally security, risk And impact analysis. In A separated process, THE FAA has not granted A back to school Licence. All organizations continue functioning has explore recovery options. »

THE spokesperson further said that Varda "East functioning on presenting alternate plans," but would be not elaborate further if that supposed while searching A alternate landing site. A spokesperson For THE FAA said TechCrunch that by Varda application was denied on September 6 because THE business "did not demonstrate compliance with THE regulatory requirements. »

"On September 8, Varda officially request that THE FAA reconsider It is decision. THE request For re-examination East on hold," THE spokesperson said.

A draft environmental assessment on by Varda back to school assignment prepared by THE FAA In March States that Varda initially considered six areas For landing THE capsule: THE Utah Test And Training Range (UTTR); White Sands Missile Range In New Mexico; Fall on Range Training Complex In Nevada; Nevada Test And Training Range; Barry Mr. Golden water Range In Arizona; And Oregon Naval Weapons Systems Training Ease Boardman.

Only UTTR encounter all of by Varda six points site selection criteria, which included be able has accommodate THE entirety of THE propose 500 square miles landing area. UTTR has previously hosted other capsule recovery missions, including from NASA Genesis sample return assignment In 2004 And Stardust comet sampling assignment In 2006.

But despite these precedents, by Varda propose back to school cadence — monthly by 2026 — East completely new. This East maybe A reason Why THE back to school clearances are socket SO long; Indeed, THE Air Force spokesperson said THE process East has "together THE correct precedents » For future commercial back to school activity.

"OUR objective has THE Utah Test And Training Range remains functioning with clients asking back to school missions In A on, secure, And sustainable fashion, on which Varda (And potentially future the partners) can model their investments, engagement, And activities," THE spokesperson said. "We Also stress This East A whole-of-government And interagency process has together THE correct previous For future activities such as these. »

Varda East using Rocket Laboratory Photon spatialship For This And has less three more subsequent missions. by Varda 120 kilograms manufacturing capsule is sitting on high of THE Photon, which East provide THE power, data And attitude control For THE assignment. On back to school, Rocket Laboratory spatialship will burn up In THE atmosphere, while by Varda capsule will continue on, release parachutes And to land on Earth.

THE history has has been update with comments Since THE FAA And has reflect that by Varda FAA Licence was refused.