Space Capsule Carrying Space-Grown Antiviral Lands on Earth: US Startup

Varda Space Industries, an American startup, successfully returned its space capsule to Earth on Wednesday, February 21st, with onboard crystals of an antiviral drug developed in space. The company announced that the W-1 (Winnebago-1) mission’s re-entry capsule landed safely in the Utah Desert at the Utah Test and Training Range. The capsule is set to be transported to Varda’s Los Angeles facilities for further analysis.

The mission carried vials of Ritonavir, a medication used in the treatment of HIV and hepatitis C, which will be sent to Improved Pharma for post-flight examination. Varda highlighted that the mission’s data would be shared with the US Air Force and NASA, as part of an agreement with these entities.

Launched in June of the previous year aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-8 mission, the W-1 capsule was tasked with growing Ritonavir crystals in the unique conditions of space. Space.com reported that the crystal-growing experiment was successful, marking a significant achievement in the utilization of microgravity for pharmaceutical development.

Despite initial plans for a shorter duration in orbit, the mission faced delays in securing reentry permissions from the US Federal Aviation Administration and military authorities, extending its duration before the successful return of the Ritonavir crystals.