Spaceflight Mechanics: The Cornell Space Technology Podcast
Spaceflight Mechanics is hosted by Professor Mason Peck & Professor Elaine Petro at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. This podcast features conversations with leaders in space technology about where we are now and where we are going.
Spaceflight Mechanics: The Cornell Space Technology Podcast
Varda Manufactured the Stars
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Mason Peck and Elaine Petro
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Season 1
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Episode 7
In this second episode about Varda Space Industries' in-space manufacturing technology, Mason and Elaine speak with Wendy Shimata, Varda's Vice President for Autonomy. It was only a few days ago, on February 21 2024, that Varda's W-1 capsule successfully landed in the Utah desert. Wendy served as the Mission Director for the deorbit and reentry shifts. She explains some of the innovations that made it possible and goes over how this technology will enable Varda to scale up to hundreds of missions each year.