Varda Space: Making Space Manufacturing Routine
Varda Space Industries is turning science fiction into reality, demonstrating that manufacturing in orbit isn’t just possible — it can become routine. CEO Will Bruey predicts a future where specialized spacecraft will ferry pharmaceuticals from space to Earth nightly, and sending an employee to orbit could cost less than keeping them on Earth. These bold claims aren’t mere speculation; Bruey draws from his firsthand experience at SpaceX, witnessing ambitious projects materialize faster than expected.
Lessons from SpaceX: Confidence in the Future
Bruey compares Varda’s current trajectory to the early days of reusable rockets at SpaceX. He recalls working on Falcon 9’s third flight and seeing reusable rockets achieve near-daily launches. “If someone had told me we’d have daily flights out of LAX within 20 years, I would have laughed,” he said. Yet, those predictions became reality, and he believes space manufacturing will follow a similar path.
Varda’s Milestone: Bringing Pharmaceuticals Back to Earth
In February 2024, Varda joined SpaceX and Boeing as one of the only corporate entities to return materials from orbit. Its first successful mission brought back ritonavir crystals, an HIV medication, proving that complex manufacturing in microgravity is achievable. Since then, the company has conducted multiple successful missions, solidifying its credibility in orbital production.
The W-1 Capsule: Small but Mighty
Varda’s pharmaceuticals are transported inside the W-1 capsule, a compact, conical spacecraft roughly the size of a large kitchen trash can. Measuring 90 centimeters across and 74 centimeters high, and weighing less than 90 kilograms, it operates aboard a SpaceX ride-share mission. The capsule relies on a spacecraft bus for power, communications, and navigation, making orbital manufacturing efficient and controlled.
Why Space Crystals Matter
Manufacturing in microgravity offers unique advantages, particularly for crystallization. Gravity on Earth disrupts crystal growth, but in orbit, those forces vanish, enabling precise control. Varda can produce crystals with uniform sizes or explore novel polymorphs, opening the door to pharmaceuticals that are more effective or easier to deliver than Earth-made counterparts.
From Novelty to Necessity
Varda isn’t just experimenting for the sake of innovation; the company wants to normalize space-based manufacturing. By making processes routine, predictable, and scalable, Bruey envisions a near-future scenario where space-derived materials are standard in medicine, technology, and research, reducing costs and accelerating innovation.
Affordable Orbit: The Next Frontier
Bruey’s vision extends beyond pharmaceuticals. He predicts that within 15–20 years, sending a working-class employee to orbit for a month could cost less than keeping them on Earth. Lowering the barrier to space travel could transform industries, enabling research, manufacturing, and logistics that were previously unimaginable.
Regulatory Hurdles Overcome
Varda’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. The company navigated months of regulatory processes to achieve its first orbital return, demonstrating that legal and logistical obstacles can be overcome. This sets a precedent for future commercial space manufacturing ventures and reassures investors of the industry’s long-term viability.
The Future of Space Manufacturing
With successful missions under its belt and a roadmap for routine operations, Varda is poised to make space manufacturing commonplace. Bruey’s confidence is rooted in tangible results, not just ambition. As Varda scales its operations, the era of reliable, affordable orbital manufacturing is approaching faster than many might expect.
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