W-4
reentered
W-4 launched on June 23, 2025. The W-4 mission was the maiden flight for Varda’s new satellite bus, designed and built in Varda’s El Segundo headquarters and manufacturing facility, and marked several other firsts for the company and the ever-expanding orbital economy.
This mission was the first to utilize a Varda-made satellite bus. While in orbit, the satellite bus provided the capsule with power, communications, attitude control, and propulsion.
The W-4 mission also heralded several other firsts for the company, including:
- a heatshield produced entirely in Varda’s factory,
- a new approach to processing pharmaceuticals, and
- permission from FAA to reenter capsules through 2029 via a vehicle operator license under FAA Part 450; the first of its kind.
After nearly a full year in orbit, on May 10 2026, Varda operators performed a final maneuver to deorbit and reduce the orbital life of the W-4 demo vehicle, completing its mission.