<h5>Which company is behind this spacecraft?</h5><p>Varda Space Industries is behind this spacecraft that has received approval to return to Earth, bringing with it a batch of medicinal crystals made in space. The company’s Winnebago capsule (W-1 capsule) was launched on 12th June 2023 on a SpaceX rocket. The company had plans to return the capsule to Earth in July.</p><p>But Varda could not obtain the necessary authorisations to try a landing, leaving the spacecraft in orbit. Now, after receiving approval, Varda plans to land its spacecraft on 21st February 2024 at the US Air Force's Test and Training Range in Utah, USA.</p><h5>What medicines were being made on the spacecraft?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/drug-making-spacecraft-to-return-to-earth%2FVarda%202.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=3105f378-88b1-48a5-83c1-c2f37a002c84"><figcaption>The W-1 capsule. Photo by Varda Space Industries.</figcaption></figure><p>While in orbit, the W-1 capsule helped manufacture Ritonavir crystals. This is a medication used to treat HIV and hepatitis C. Varda has plans to manufacture more such things in space.</p><p>Not all of Varda’s future landings will be in Utah, like the W-1 capsule. The company has signed an agreement to land some capsules in South Australia in the future.</p><h5>Why has Varda Space Industries planned to manufacture medicines and other items in space?</h5><p>The company plans to develop various items in space using its spacecraft as a manufacturing and testing platform. The company says working with materials in space, where there is nearly no gravity, creates a unique environment that cannot be created on Earth.</p><p>This environment makes it easier to design things exactly how the company wants them because there is no gravity pressing on them, and materials do not move and mix in the same pattern as they do on Earth.</p><p>Once the materials are returned to Earth, they will be further checked and examined before they are put to various uses.</p>

The Varda-owned spacecraft has recently been approved for landing.

Drug-Making Spacecraft to Return to Earth

Collect 150 Hootcoins.

OpenAI’s Launches New AI Model

Astronomers Find a Super-Earth

Apple’s Vision Pro: A Superpower for Humans?

Drug-Making Spacecraft to Return to Earth

Collect 150 Hootcoins.

Did you read these articles?

OpenAI’s Launches New AI Model

Astronomers Find a Super-Earth

Apple’s Vision Pro: A Superpower for Humans?