Latest news with #VardaSpaceIndustries
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Space pharmaceutical industry hopes to be future of medicine
(NewsNation) — For scientists, space could be the new frontier of medicine, particularly when it comes to creating new pharmaceuticals. California-based Varda Space Industries is one company hoping outer space can be used to create new medications for people on Earth. Co-founder Will Bruey told NewsNation the industry is looking beyond Earth for opportunities to 'manipulate chemistry' in new ways. Strange flying objects reported near Arizona Air Force ranges: FAA 'The reason we make pharmaceuticals in orbit is because the lack of gravity allows us to make drug formulations that you otherwise couldn't on Earth because of Earth's gravity,' he said. 'So it's a whole new way to manipulate chemistry.' The conditions in orbit cannot be replicated on our planet, so scientists on the ground develop pharmaceutical predictions and test them by sending modules to space. The drugs are analyzed once the capsule returns. 'They can take a formulation that used to be an IV bag and turn it into a shot, or a pill to an inhalable,' Bruey said. 'Those are what I mean by different formulations, and you can create those in the microgravity of space and then bring it back for use for people on Earth.' New Orleans man takes 2 million steps in 30 days The growing space industry is allowing for more research, although at the moment, it comes with a significant price tag. Bruey hopes that, with progress, space will become just another laboratory. 'In the next few years, it will be just scaling up, so more flights, until we get to a daily cadence so that we simply look like another piece of lab equipment for the pharmaceutical industry,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rocket Lab USA (NasdaqCM:RKLB) Achieves Record Two Earth Return Missions In Two Months
Rocket Lab USA saw a stock price increase of 11% over the past month, partly influenced by its successful Earth return missions for Varda Space Industries. These achievements highlight the company's operational capabilities, potentially adding weight to the broader positive market conditions, where the Nasdaq and S&P 500 showed gains led by tech sector rallies. The announcement of Rocket Lab's future Neutron rocket further aligns with the market's focus on innovation, contributing to the company's robust performance in the context of a generally rising market, with significant technological advancements propelling interest in space industry investments. Rocket Lab USA has 2 weaknesses we think you should know about. This technology could replace computers: discover the 22 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. The recent success of Rocket Lab USA in completing Earth return missions for Varda Space Industries aligns with their broader narrative of expanding end-to-end space services. The company's increasing launch cadence, coupled with new products such as Flatellite, underscores their ambition to tap into the growing demand for constellation spacecraft. These developments could bolster revenue growth and improve profit margins over the next decade, as Rocket Lab further establishes itself in the medium-class launch sector. However, execution risks and potential supply chain challenges remain significant factors that could deviate financial outcomes from forecasts. Rocket Lab's impressive 378.73% total shareholder return in the past year reflects strong market confidence, surpassing both the US Aerospace & Defense industry's return of 23.1% and the broader US market's 11.5% over the same period. This strong performance illustrates investor optimism surrounding the company's growth prospects despite its current lack of profitability, which has seen earnings decline at 22.9% annually over the past five years. While the recent 11% stock price increase is encouraging, Rocket Lab's current price of $22.4 trades at a modest 9.0% discount to the consensus price target of $24.6. Analysts forecast a positive trajectory, expecting revenues to climb to $1.2 billion and earnings to reach US$59.1 million by 2028, although these projections depend heavily on successful execution of future launches and product developments. Investors should weigh these potential growth drivers against inherent risks, considering that meeting these forecasts would require a high price-to-earnings ratio of 181.9x compared to today's multiple of 53.4x. Assess Rocket Lab USA's future earnings estimates with our detailed growth reports. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NasdaqCM:RKLB. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Two Earth Return Missions in Two Months: Rocket Lab Demonstrates Rapid Re-entry Capability with Third Pioneer Spacecraft for Varda Space Industries
Designed and built by Rocket Lab, the Pioneer spacecraft hosted Varda's capsule on orbit for 60 days LONG BEACH, Calif., May 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) ("Rocket Lab" or "the Company"), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced its record turnaround of two Earth return missions in two months with its latest successful mission and Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries ("Varda"), a leading orbital pharmaceuticals and hypersonic re-entry logistics company. Rocket Lab successfully supported the return to Earth of Varda's W-3 capsule at 02:07 a.m. UTC on May 14, the third overall successful operation in the W-series of Varda missions. For the second time this year, Rocket Lab's highly configurable, medium delta-V spacecraft platform, Pioneer, delivered Varda's hypersonic re-entry capsule back to Earth. To date, Rocket Lab has successfully built, tested, integrated, and managed on-orbit and de-orbit operations for three of the four contracted missions for Varda. Rocket Lab's first mission for Varda, W-1, was the world's first space manufacturing mission conducted outside of the International Space Station. W-1 completed on-orbit operations in February 2024, positioning their re-entry capsule for landing at the Utah Test and Training Range near Salt Lake City, Utah. The Company's second Pioneer spacecraft successfully entered Varda's W-2 capsule a year later, landing at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia, operated by Southern Launch. The third Pioneer spacecraft for Varda's W-3 mission launched just 15 days after successful re-entry and landing of the W-2 mission on March 14. Each Pioneer spacecraft for Varda's W-series missions delivered critical mission functions for Varda's 120kg capsule including power, communications, propulsion, and attitude control. The Pioneer spacecraft was designed, built, and tested at Rocket Lab's Spacecraft Production Complex and headquarters in Long Beach, California. Rocket Lab's Pioneer spacecraft platform uses the Company's vertically integrated components and systems, including star trackers, propulsion systems, reaction wheels, solar panels, flight software, radios, composite structures, tanks, separation systems, and more. "Managing three successful missions for Varda in just over a year is a testament to our team's ability to produce tailored spacecraft for our customer's specific needs quickly and efficiently," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck. "Our Pioneer spacecraft consistently proves its rapid re-entry capability, versatility, and reliability, delivering critical mission functions that continually push the boundaries of space technology. Varda's missions showcase Rocket Lab's commitment to groundbreaking advancements in space manufacturing and re-entry logistics, and we're immensely proud to be a part of these achievements." "Varda's third successful reentry represents a new era in the commercialization of low Earth orbit," said Dave McFarland, Varda's Vice President of Hypersonic and Reentry Test. "The rapid succession of our missions demonstrates that this is a capability both Varda, and our partners can consistently rely on." The fourth spacecraft in Varda's W-series is currently undergoing integration and testing at Rocket Lab's Spacecraft Production Complex and headquarters in Long Beach, California. + About Rocket Lab Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of spacecraft platforms, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 200 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab's spacecraft platforms have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. To learn more, visit + 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, 2024, 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 and the Investor Relations section of our website at 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. View source version on Contacts + Rocket Lab Media Contact Lindsay McLaurinmedia@ + Varda Media Contact: Alex PearlmanMedia@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Geeky Gadgets
08-05-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Pharma's Next Frontier: Why Space is Key to Better Medicines
What if the next breakthrough in medicine didn't come from a lab on Earth, but from a capsule orbiting hundreds of miles above it? It's not science fiction—it's a bold reality being shaped by companies like Varda Space Industries. With the unique conditions of microgravity offering untapped opportunities for drug development, the pharmaceutical industry is beginning to look to the stars for its next frontier. In this conversation with Varda co-founder Will Bruey, we explore how space-based manufacturing could redefine the way medicines are created, potentially leading to treatments that are more effective, accessible, and fantastic than ever before. In this interview, Bruey provide more insights into the economic and scientific forces driving this off-planet revolution, from the innovative impact of reusable rockets to the unparalleled precision microgravity offers in pharmaceutical production. You'll discover why space isn't just a playground for exploration but a platform for industrial innovation, and how Varda is pioneering this shift with specialized capsules designed to manufacture drugs in orbit. Could this be the moment when space becomes not just a destination, but a critical partner in solving Earth's most pressing healthcare challenges? Pharma Innovation in Space Reusable Rockets: Transforming Access to Space The advent of reusable rocket technology has fundamentally changed the economics of space exploration and utilization. Companies like SpaceX have pioneered this innovation, drastically reducing the cost of launches and increasing their frequency. What was once a rare and prohibitively expensive endeavor has become a routine operation, akin to the regularity of commercial airline schedules. This newfound affordability has opened the door for ambitious ventures like Varda Space Industries, which envisions manufacturing pharmaceuticals in orbit. By reusing rockets, the cost of transporting materials and equipment to space has dropped significantly, making space-based production not only feasible but also economically viable. This technological leap has laid the foundation for a new era of industrial activity beyond Earth, with pharmaceuticals leading the charge. Microgravity: Unlocking New Possibilities in Drug Development Microgravity, a condition unique to space, offers unparalleled advantages for drug development and manufacturing. On Earth, gravity influences chemical reactions, crystallization processes, and molecular structures, often imposing limitations on the precision and quality of pharmaceutical products. In the microgravity environment of space, these constraints are significantly reduced, allowing the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with exceptional clarity, uniformity, and effectiveness. This environment also fosters the development of innovative drug formulations. For instance, intravenous (IV) medications, which require complex administration methods, could be reformulated into simpler injectable shots, improving accessibility for patients and healthcare providers. These advancements have the potential to enhance treatment options, address unmet medical needs, and improve patient outcomes. The ability to harness microgravity for pharmaceutical innovation represents a significant step forward in the quest to develop more effective and efficient medicines. Why the Future of Pharma is Off-Planet Watch this video on YouTube. Stay informed about the latest in space technology by exploring our other resources and articles. Varda Space Industries: Pioneering Space-Based Manufacturing Varda Space Industries is leading the charge in integrating aerospace technology with pharmaceutical innovation. The company has developed specialized space capsules equipped with advanced tools such as heaters and mixers to produce APIs in orbit. Once the manufacturing process is complete, these capsules return to Earth, delivering high-value pharmaceutical products that could outperform those made under terrestrial conditions. Building on years of research conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Varda is scaling up these efforts into a viable commercial model. This approach not only demonstrates the feasibility of manufacturing in space but also highlights its economic potential. By using the unique properties of microgravity, Varda aims to produce drugs that are more effective, efficient, and accessible, setting a new standard for pharmaceutical production. Economic and Practical Implications of Space-Based Manufacturing Pharmaceuticals are uniquely suited for space-based manufacturing due to their high value and the fantastic impact of microgravity on production processes. Varda's business model could create a self-sustaining cycle: as demand for space-manufactured drugs increases, the frequency of rocket launches will rise, further reducing costs and expanding access to space. This cycle of innovation and affordability has the potential to accelerate the commercialization of space, transforming it into a hub for industrial activity. The economic implications extend beyond pharmaceuticals. As the cost of accessing space continues to decline, other industries could also benefit from space-based manufacturing. For example, semiconductor and fiber optic production could achieve higher precision and quality in microgravity, unlocking new possibilities for technological advancement. This broader vision of space as a platform for industrial innovation underscores the fantastic potential of space-based manufacturing. Challenges and Opportunities on the Path Forward Despite its promise, space-based manufacturing faces significant challenges. Proving the concept and refining the economics of production are critical steps that companies like Varda must navigate. The costs and logistical complexities of operating in space remain substantial, and demonstrating that the benefits of microgravity outweigh these challenges is essential for long-term success. However, the opportunities are vast. Beyond pharmaceuticals, industries such as electronics, materials science, and advanced manufacturing could benefit from the unique conditions of space. These advancements have the potential to drive innovation across multiple sectors, further justifying investments in space-based manufacturing. As technology continues to evolve and costs decline, the vision of a thriving commercial space industry becomes increasingly attainable. From Exploration to Industrialization: A New Era in Space The transition from single-use rockets to reusable ones has marked a turning point in the history of space exploration. This innovation has transformed space from a domain of government-led exploration into a commercially viable sector. Companies like Varda are capitalizing on this shift, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space and paving the way for industrialization beyond Earth. As the cost of accessing space continues to decrease, the potential for industrial applications grows exponentially. This transition represents a new era where space is no longer just a destination for exploration but a platform for economic activity. By harnessing the unique properties of microgravity and using advancements in aerospace technology, the future of pharmaceuticals—and potentially many other industries—lies beyond Earth. Media Credit: Freethink Filed Under: Technology News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
California company celebrates successful return of medical research space capsule
A Southern California company is celebrating the successful launch and return of a space capsule designed to change how pharmaceuticals are processed in Earth's low orbit. Varda Space Industries, based in El Segundo, launched its W-2 capsule aboard a Space X rocket in mid-January. It carried an array of research equipment and was protected by a heat shield developed in conjunction with NASA, the company said in a news release. After six weeks in orbit, the turtle-shaped capsule descended back to Earth last Friday at speeds exceeding Mach 25, or 19,100 miles per hour. It touched down via parachute at a test range in southern Australia. Footage of the entire mission, from launch to landing, was shared on Varda's X account. This is the second time Varda has successfully landed a W-2 capsule and the first time a commercial space capsule has landed on Australian soil, the company said. 'We are ecstatic to have W-2 back on our home planet safely and are proud to support significant reentry research for our government partners as we continue building a thriving foundation for economic expansion to low Earth orbit,' Varda CEO Will Bruey said in a statement. 'What's next?' Experts say the lack of gravity in space provides a unique laboratory for medical research, including the development of new drugs and therapies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
