Hard tech startups generate a lot of buzz, but there’s a growing cohort of companies building digital tools squarely focused on making hard tech development faster, more efficient, […]
Seraphim Space launches second VC fund with nine investments already under its belt
Seraphim Space, the UK-based space tech investment group is formally launching its second VC fund following its first close with limited partners including Airbus, TechCrunch learned exclusively. The […]
Varda Space’s orbital drug factory success fuels $90M in new funding
Varda Space Industries has closed a massive tranche of funding just weeks after its first drug manufacturing capsule returned from orbit. The company’s $90 million Series B round […]
Footage shows capsule diving through Earth’s atmosphere at blazing speed
A Varda Space Industries’ spacecraft, W-1, recently plummeted to Earth. Here’s dramatic footage the capsule filmed as it sped through our planet’s atmosphere at Mach 25, which is about 25 times the speed of sound.
Historic spacecraft landing double-header from Varda, Intuitive Machines
Hello and welcome back to TechCrunch Space. My stomach is still in knots from the Intuitive Machines landing livestream. I think it’s fair to say that the words […]
Varda Space, Rocket Lab nail first-of-its-kind spacecraft landing in Utah
A spacecraft containing pharmaceutical drugs that were grown on orbit has finally returned to Earth today after more than eight months in space. Varda Space Industries’ in-space manufacturing […]
The hard tech renaissance accelerates as YC spotlights space, manufacturing and defense
Y Combinator is putting hard-tech in the spotlight. On Wednesday, the accelerator released an updated list of ideas it would like to see in applications — with categories like […]
What we’re looking forward to seeing from the space industry in 2024
It was a jaw dropping year for the space industry, and while we all know by now that progress isn’t linear, we feel pretty confident that 2024 will […]
Varda Space puts off orbital factory reentry pending Air Force and FAA green light
The U.S. Air Force denied a recent request from Varda Space Industries to land its capsule at a Utah training area, pushing back the startup’s plans to show […]