Varda’s W-2 capsule

Upon its return to Earth on February 27, 2025, Varda’s W-2 capsule was protected by a NASA-produced C-PICA heat shield, which produced the fiery streak shown here. Sensor instrumentation helped inform Varda’s manufacturing of the material for the upcoming W-4 flight test, which will use Varda-produced C-PICA for the first time.