Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the
Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems,
has completed testing and integration of its second Pioneer
spacecraft for Varda Space Industries, Inc. (“Varda”), the world's
first in-space pharmaceutical processing and hypersonic Earth
re-entry logistics company.
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Rocket Lab has completed testing and
integration of its second Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space
Industries, Inc. at its Spacecraft Production Complex and
headquarters in Long Beach, California. (Photo: Rocket Lab)
Rocket Lab’s first Pioneer spacecraft for Varda was launched in
June 2023. Varda successfully crystallized the HIV drug Ritonavir
while on orbit and Rocket Lab and Varda successfully landed the
re-entry capsule in the Utah desert in February 2024. The Company
is now preparing Varda’s second mission during which Rocket Lab and
Varda will once again conduct in-space operations, reentry
positioning maneuvers, and deorbiting to recover Varda’s capsule.
Varda received permission from the FAA under a Part 450 license
earlier this month, making them the only company to ever secure a
second reentry license.
Designed and built at Rocket Lab’s Spacecraft Production Complex
and Headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Pioneer spacecraft
will provide power, communications, propulsion, and attitude
control for Varda’s 120 kg reentry capsule. Each Pioneer spacecraft
leverages the company’s vertically integrated spacecraft components
and subsystems, including star trackers, reaction wheels, solar
panels, flight software, and radios.
“By leveraging Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated approach to
spacecraft production, we can rapidly develop and deliver the
highly capable and reliable spacecraft that Varda needs for their
missions,” said Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck. “This
close collaboration allows us to push the boundaries of innovation,
enabling Varda to create high-value products in microgravity and
bring them back to Earth. We’re excited to work alongside Varda as
they revolutionize manufacturing processes and open new markets
through space.”
“Our partnership with Rocket Lab demonstrates the power of
collaboration to evolve the orbital economy,” said Varda CEO and
co-founder Will Bruey. “Each reentry is a remarkable milestone that
paves the way for future innovations, and the day when reentry is
as common as launch.”
Rocket Lab’s Pioneer spacecraft is a flight proven highly
configurable medium delta-V platform designed to support large
payloads, re-entry capabilities, and dynamic space operations.
Learn more about Rocket Lab and Varda’s partnership: Varda Space
Industries | Rocket Lab (rocketlabusa.com)
+ About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems.
Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle is the second most frequently
launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 197
satellites to orbit for commercial and Government partners,
including NASA, the U.S. Air Force, DARPA and the NRO. Rocket Lab
also delivers proven suborbital hypersonic launch capability with
its HASTE launch vehicle. Building on the deep heritage of
Electron, Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, an advanced 13-tonne
payload class, reusable launch vehicle tailored for constellation
deployment and interplanetary missions. Rocket Lab is also a
premier supplier of advanced satellites, flight-proven subsystems
and spacecraft components. At a component level, Rocket Lab
spacecraft technology spans space solar power, composite
structures, flight software, star trackers, reaction wheels,
separation systems, and more. Rocket Lab satellite technology and
components have been integrated into more than 1,700 satellite
missions globally. www.rocketlabusa.com.
+ Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by
the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained
in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in
this press release other than statements of historical fact,
including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and
space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and
repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational
expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The
words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,”
“continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,”
“could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements,
though not all forward-looking statements use these words or
expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees,
but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the
factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as such
factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on
the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section
of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our
actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the
forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such
forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of
the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such
forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim
any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views
to change.
About Varda:
Varda Space Industries is expanding the economic bounds of
humankind by designing and building the infrastructure needed to
make low Earth orbit accessible to industry, from in-orbit
production equipment to reliable and economical reentry capsules.
The company operates out of El Segundo, California with office and
industrial production space. You can follow Varda on X
(@vardaspace) and LinkedIn.
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+ Rocket Lab Media Contact Lindsay McLaurin
media@rocketlabusa.com
Varda Media Contact: Media@varda.com
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