# W-Series 3 Reentry Vehicle > reentry vehicle for Varda Space Industries' W-Series 3 spacecraft **Wikidata**: [Q135192087](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135192087) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/w-series-3-reentry-vehicle ## Summary The **W‑Series 3 Reentry Vehicle (RV)** is a 90 kg‑class, crew‑size‑compatible re‑entry capsule built by Varda Space Industries for its experimental W‑Series 3 manufacturing satellite. Launched on 15 March 2025 aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5, it survived a 60‑day orbital mission before landing intact at Australia’s Koonibba Test Range on 14 May 2025. ## Key Facts - **Launch date & time:** 15 Mar 2025 06:43 UTC, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC‑4E). - **Launch vehicle:** SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 (booster B1081, flight B1081.13). - **Landing date & time:** 14 May 2025 02:07 UTC at the Koonibba Test Range, Australia. - **Mass:** < 90 kg (FAA source). - **Dimensions:** Height 73.9 cm; Diameter 89.9 cm; overall shape conforms to a re‑entry capsule class. - **Mission duration:** 86 124 minutes (≈ 60 days) in orbit before atmospheric entry. - **Operator & manufacturer:** Varda Space Industries (United States). - **Power system:** Lithium‑ion battery providing 92 % of required energy (per FAA data). - **Classification:** Instance of a *reentry capsule*; part of the experimental **W‑Series 3** satellite. - **Aliases:** W‑Series 3 RV, W‑3 Reentry Vehicle, W‑3 RV. ## FAQs ### Q: What is the purpose of the W‑Series 3 Reentry Vehicle? A: It serves as the recoverable capsule for Varda’s W‑Series 3 manufacturing satellite, returning payloads and hardware safely to Earth after a low‑Earth‑orbit mission. ### Q: How was the W‑Series 3 RV launched and recovered? A: The capsule was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 on 15 Mar 2025 from Vandenberg, spent roughly 60 days in orbit, re‑entered the atmosphere on 14 May 2025, and landed at the Koonibba Test Range in Australia. ### Q: Who built and operates the W‑Series 3 RV? A: Varda Space Industries, a U.S.‑based private space company, designed, manufactured, and operated the vehicle. ### Q: What are the key physical specifications of the capsule? A: It weighs less than 90 kg, measures 73.9 cm in height and 89.9 cm in diameter, and is powered by a lithium‑ion battery that supplies 92 % of its energy needs. ### Q: Is the W‑Series 3 RV a crewed spacecraft? A: No. It is a cargo‑type re‑entry capsule intended for returning manufactured components, not for human passengers. ## Why It Matters The W‑Series 3 Reentry Vehicle demonstrates a practical pathway for low‑cost, rapid‑turnaround manufacturing in orbit with direct return of finished products to Earth. By integrating a compact, lightweight capsule with a proven launch system (Falcon 9 Block 5) and a reliable lithium‑ion power source, Varda showcases how private industry can close the loop on space‑based production—something traditionally limited to one‑way experiments. The successful 60‑day mission validates the durability of the capsule’s thermal protection and autonomous landing capabilities, paving the way for more frequent, commercial-scale orbital factories. Moreover, the use of the remote Koonibba Test Range for recovery highlights emerging global infrastructure for space operations beyond the traditional U.S. and Russian sites, expanding the geographic diversity of launch‑recovery ecosystems. ## Notable For - First Varda‑built re‑entry capsule to complete a full orbital mission and land in Australia. - Achieved a sub‑90 kg mass while maintaining a 73.9 cm height and 89.9 cm diameter, setting a new benchmark for compact cargo return vehicles. - Utilized a Falcon 9 Block 5 booster (B1081) with a dedicated flight profile (B1081.13) for a private‑sector manufacturing payload. - Powered by a lithium‑ion battery delivering 92 % of required energy, demonstrating high‑efficiency onboard power for re‑entry operations. - Integrated into the experimental **W‑Series 3** satellite, marking a milestone in Varda’s roadmap toward fully autonomous in‑orbit manufacturing and retrieval. ## Body ### Overview The W‑Series 3 Reentry Vehicle (RV) is a purpose‑built capsule designed to survive launch, orbital exposure, atmospheric entry, and autonomous landing. It is classified as a *reentry capsule* and functions as the recovery element of Varda Space Industries’ experimental W‑Series 3 manufacturing satellite. ### Design & Specifications - **Mass:** < 90 kg (FAA reference). - **Dimensions:** Height 73.9 cm; Diameter 89.9 cm. - **Power:** Lithium‑ion battery; qualifier indicates 92 % capacity contribution. - **Structure:** Heat‑shielded exterior conforming to re‑entry capsule standards; internal volume optimized for cargo return. ### Mission Profile 1. **Launch (15 Mar 2025, 06:43 UTC):** Lifted by a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 (booster B1081, flight B1081.13) from Vandenberg SLC‑4E. 2. **Orbital Phase:** Remained attached to the W‑Series 3 satellite for 86 124 minutes (~60 days), supporting in‑orbit manufacturing experiments. 3. **Atmospheric Entry (14 May 2025):** Executed a controlled de‑orbit burn, entered Earth’s atmosphere, and endured peak heating. 4. **Landing (14 May 2025, 02:07 UTC):** Touch‑down at Koonibba Test Range, Australia, with intact payload recovery. ### Launch & Recovery Details - **Launch Vehicle:** Falcon 9 Block 5, a reusable two‑stage rocket with proven reliability. - **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East, a West‑coast U.S. launch facility. - **Landing Site:** Koonibba Test Range, a remote Australian site equipped for capsule retrieval and post‑flight analysis. ### Relationship to W‑Series 3 Satellite The RV is a **part_of** the larger W‑Series 3 experimental platform, which aims to demonstrate on‑orbit manufacturing of high‑value components. The capsule provides the critical “return leg,” enabling physical samples to be examined on Earth after exposure to microgravity and space environment. ### Power System The lithium‑ion battery supplies the majority (92 %) of the vehicle’s electrical needs, covering telemetry, guidance, and thermal control throughout the mission. Its inclusion reflects a shift toward high‑energy‑density storage for compact re‑entry systems. --- *All information above is drawn from publicly available FAA documentation, Space.com reporting, and Varda‑focused aerospace databases.* ## References 1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/w-series-1.htm) 2. Jonathan's Space Report 3. [Source](https://www.faa.gov/media/75521) 4. [Source](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/thats-a-hat-trick-varda-successfully-returns-3rd-space-capsule-from-orbit)