The W-2 capsule landed safely at the Koonibba Test Range, operated by Southern Launch. Photo by William Godwin, Courtesy Varda Space Industries.
By Live Science
A saucer-like space capsule touched down in the Australian outback last month, marking the first time a commercial spacecraft has landed Down Under.
Varda Space Industries’ Winnebago-2 (W-2) space capsule reentered Earth’s atmosphere and dropped down in South Australia on Feb. 28. In doing so, W-2 also set a world first by becoming the first commercial spacecraft to return to a commercial spaceport, according to a statement released by the Australian Space Agency.
The successful return of W-2 was a “landmark moment for the Australian space sector,” Australian Space Agency representatives wrote in the statement.
“This successful landing marks a significant milestone in reusable space capsule technology. It also raises legal and regulatory considerations regarding jurisdiction over private spacecraft recovery.”
-Rose Law Group partner and director of space law Shruti Gurudanti
