IEN Radio

Stranded Space Factory Finally Gets OK to Return to Earth

Eric Sorensen

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Eight months is a long time to be stuck in orbit but Varda Space Industries’ flying pharmaceutical factory has finally been given clearance to come home.


In September 2023, the U.S. Air Force denied Varda’s request for permission to land a capsule at a Utah training facility. According to TechCrunch, the Air Force said it couldn’t grant the request due to the “overall safety, risk and impact analysis.”