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| Varda’s W-3 capsule after landing the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia. Photo: Varda |
A groundbreaking collaboration between Varda Space Industries, LeoLabs, and Anduril showcases how commercial innovation is revolutionizing space domain awareness and missile defense
By Claude Anthropic AI | September 13, 2025
In a remarkable demonstration of how commercial space companies are reshaping national security capabilities, three innovative firms recently proved they could track and predict the trajectory of objects traveling at hypersonic speeds—more than 25 times the speed of sound. The successful test, announced September 8, represents a significant milestone in space domain awareness and could have profound implications for missile defense systems.
The Breakthrough Demonstration
The joint demonstration centered on Varda Space Industries' W-3 capsule, which performed a series of orbital maneuvers before its hypersonic reentry on May 13, 2025. With cues from Varda, LeoLabs' Global Radar Network tracked the vehicle's on-orbit maneuvers. The LeoLabs data was then integrated with Anduril's Lattice, an AI-enabled software platform that provides resilient mesh networking and low-latency communications across a global network of sensors, to provide distributed users with real-time situational awareness of on-orbit maneuvers.
What made this demonstration particularly significant was its speed of implementation. Orchestrated in under a week, the effort showcases the agility of emerging and scaling space companies to rapidly identify use cases, conduct R&D, and iterate at speed. This rapid deployment capability stands in stark contrast to traditional defense procurement timelines that can span years or decades.
The Technology Stack
Varda's Hypersonic Testbed
At the heart of the demonstration was Varda Space Industries' unique reentry vehicle, which serves as both a commercial space manufacturing platform and a hypersonic research testbed. The W-3 capsule reentered Earth's atmosphere at speeds that exceeded Mach 25, creating extreme conditions that are impossible to replicate in ground-based testing facilities.
Varda's orbital capsule enters the atmosphere at 18,000 miles per hour. The capsule hits Mach 25+ on every mission before landing by parachute on Earth. This offers a real flight environment for hypersonic reentry vehicle subsystems such as thermal protective materials, navigation, communication, and sensors. The company's approach addresses a critical gap in hypersonic research capabilities, where the hypersonic regime currently lacks a sufficient number of real-world testing environments to support the rapid test cadence required to derisk our most advanced aerospace vehicles and systems.
LeoLabs' Radar Network Evolution
LeoLabs contributed its Global Radar Network, which has evolved significantly to meet emerging space domain awareness challenges. The company recently unveiled its next-generation Scout radar system, a containerized S-band Direct Radiating Array (DRA) radar system that can be easily transported for rapid deployment to any location worldwide in response to dynamic Space Domain Awareness (SDA) missions, including monitoring foreign launches.
LeoLabs already operates 11 active radars at seven fixed sites around the world, providing satellite operators and defense organizations with detailed data on the movement of satellites and debris. The company tracks 23,000+ objects, and can detect debris down to about 10 cm in size. The Scout system extends this capability with unprecedented mobility and flexibility.
The strategic importance of this expansion cannot be overstated. "Our intent is with dozens of these systems deployed, we would be able to provide full coverage, where today, because of some of the limitations of networks like the Space Surveillance Network, those systems are really powerful radars … but most of them are clustered in the Northern Hemisphere," Frazier said. "There's big gaps in in the Southern Hemisphere and equatorial regions, over open oceans, where having this distributed network you would be able to fill those gaps and give the adversary less opportunities to maneuver."
Anduril's AI Integration Platform
The third component of this technological trinity was Anduril's Lattice platform, which served as the neural network connecting disparate sensor data into actionable intelligence. Lattice AI is an advanced software platform that powers Anduril's suite of defense solutions, enabling them to function as an integrated ecosystem. This platform is designed to process vast amounts of sensor data in real-time, providing a comprehensive situational awareness crucial for modern military operations.
Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice, an AI software platform that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. The platform's ability to rapidly integrate new data sources was demonstrated by the successful incorporation of LeoLabs' radar data in less than a week.
National Security Implications
The demonstration comes at a time of heightened concern about hypersonic weapons and space-based threats. A recent think tank report warns that a wave of emerging weapons such as hypersonic glide vehicles, scramjet cruise missiles, and maneuvering reentry vehicles could evade today's missile defenses due to their high speed and unpredictable maneuvers.
However, the same characteristics that make hypersonic weapons challenging to defend against may also create new opportunities for detection. "Hypersonic weapons, the things that make them so dangerous are also what make them so vulnerable," said Masao Dahlgren, a Missile Defense Project fellow at the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
Government Investment and Interest
The U.S. government has recognized the potential of these commercial capabilities, with significant investments flowing to support their development. LeoLabs has secured a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) to support a software upgrade for its expeditionary Scout-class radar, as part of broader US efforts to advance Space Domain Awareness (SDA). The $4-million award, comprising $2 million from the Air Force Research Laboratory and $2 million in private capital, was issued through SpaceWERX, the US Space Force's innovation arm.
This builds on earlier investments, including a $60 million Strategic Funding Increase for startup LeoLabs last month to build a new radar at a to-be-determined site in the Indo-Pacific.
Integration with Larger Defense Systems
The commercial demonstration aligns with broader Pentagon efforts to develop comprehensive missile defense capabilities. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) are currently developing elements of a missile defense system that may be able to defend against hypersonic weapons and other emerging missile threats.
The Pentagon is developing space-based sensors that can distinguish missile threats from clutter as a key part of the Trump administration's Golden Dome missile defense initiative. The success of the commercial demonstration suggests that public-private partnerships could accelerate the development and deployment of these critical capabilities.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Expanding Capabilities
The three companies are already planning to expand their collaboration. In a future experiment, the companies are exploring opportunities to expand the demonstration to use LeoLabs' new Scout radar to detect a Varda capsule as it reenters at hypersonic speed. This would represent an even more challenging technical achievement, as tracking objects during the violent reentry phase requires detecting signatures through the plasma envelope that forms around hypersonic vehicles.
Scientific and Commercial Applications
Beyond defense applications, the technology demonstrated has significant implications for civilian space operations. As space becomes increasingly congested with satellites, debris, and commercial activities, the ability to track and predict the movements of objects at all speeds becomes critical for space traffic management.
Varda's approach also opens new possibilities for materials science research. Varda demonstrated the pharmaceutical processing equipment inside W-1 by growing crystals of Form III of the antiretroviral drug ritonavir. The company's vision extends beyond defense applications to creating "the infrastructure needed to make low Earth orbit accessible to multiple industries, from in-orbit production equipment to reliable and economical reentry capsules."
Global Competition and Strategic Considerations
The demonstration takes place against a backdrop of intensifying space competition. In 2024, LeoLabs tracked 253 successful launches to low Earth orbit — 155 of those by the U.S. and 86 by its adversaries, including 65 launched by China. This rapid growth in space activity makes space domain awareness increasingly critical for national security.
The ability to rapidly deploy tracking capabilities anywhere in the world could prove crucial for monitoring activities in contested regions. According to the Air & Space Forces Magazine report, interest on ground-based radars has been growing, as the U.S. Space Force is pursuing improved space domain awareness, or SDA, as one of its top priorities.
Technical Challenges and Innovations
The Physics of Hypersonic Detection
Tracking hypersonic objects presents unique technical challenges that the demonstration successfully addressed. It is impossible to replicate the coupled aero-thermal-chemistry conditions at high-hypersonic flights on the ground. Varda's capsule experiences sustained plasma conditions in flight: 300W/cm² heat flux. 18,000K+ in the flow field.
These extreme conditions create both challenges and opportunities for detection systems. The intense heat and plasma formation that occur during hypersonic flight can interfere with some tracking methods while potentially making objects more visible to others.
AI and Machine Learning Integration
The successful integration of AI-powered analysis represents a significant advance in processing complex sensor data. The platform's AI algorithms can make autonomous decisions, directing dependent systems to investigate areas of interest or respond to threats without human intervention.
This capability becomes increasingly important as the volume and complexity of space traffic grows. Traditional approaches to space surveillance that rely primarily on human operators analyzing individual tracks cannot scale to meet the demands of an increasingly congested space environment.
Looking Forward
The September demonstration represents more than a technological achievement; it signals a fundamental shift in how critical national security capabilities are developed and deployed. The ability of three commercial companies to organize, execute, and prove a complex space domain awareness capability in under a week demonstrates the potential for commercial innovation to enhance national security.
"Regular, rigorous component and systems testing for defense modernization is incredibly important," said Varda CEO Will Bruey. "Varda is doing that today as the lowest-cost, highest-cadence platform to fly at speeds higher than Mach 25. This is a leapfrog capability that only America has."
As space becomes an increasingly contested domain and hypersonic weapons proliferate globally, the technologies demonstrated in this collaboration may prove crucial for maintaining strategic stability and protecting national interests. The success of this commercial partnership suggests that the future of space domain awareness will be built not just by traditional defense contractors, but by the innovative spirit and rapid iteration capabilities of the commercial space sector.
The implications extend beyond defense to scientific research, commercial space operations, and international cooperation in space. As Varda aims to "make reentry as common as launch," the technologies proven in this demonstration could become the foundation for a new era of routine hypersonic flight and space commerce.
SIDEBAR: SBIRs
Specific SBIR Contract Details:
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LeoLabs AFWERX Contract: SBIR Phase II Contract $1.245M for S-band 2-D Direct Radiating Array (DRA)
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LeoLabs Arizona Radar: UHF Planar DRA radar partially funded by 2023 Direct to Phase II SBIR award from AFWERX
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MSBAI OrbitGuard Contract: Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract $1.2M originated from Department of Defense Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), selected by Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), executed by Air Force Digital Transformation Office (DTO)
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Surface Optics Contract: $1M SBIR Phase II contract from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for hypersonic missile detection
Specific SBIR Topic Numbers:
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Space Force Open Topic: SBIR Topic #12161 including Critical Technology Areas of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Hypersonics
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Navy Hypersonic Cruise Missile Defense: SBIR Topic N212-112 (2021.2 BAA), RT&L Focus Area: Hypersonics
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Navy Hypersonic Detection: Navy SBIR Topic N231-020 (23.1 BAA) for EO/IR sensors
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Navy Radar Seeker: Navy SBIR Topic N211-097 (21.1 BAA), RT&L Focus Area: Hypersonics
Sources
- Varda Space Industries, LeoLabs, and Anduril Industries. (2025, September 8). "Varda, LeoLabs, and Anduril demonstrate on-orbit maneuver tracking and AI-enabled software integration in advance of a hypersonic reentry." PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/varda-leolabs-and-anduril-demonstrate-on-orbit-maneuver-tracking-and-ai-enabled-software-integration-in-advance-of-a-hypersonic-reentry-302549490.html
- Via Satellite. (2025, May 14). "Varda Space Capsule Successfully Returns to Earth After Hypersonic Reentry Test." https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2025/05/14/varda-space-capsule-successfully-returns-to-earth-after-hypersonic-reentry-test/
- Erwin, S. (2025, May 14). "Varda Space reentry capsule lands in Australia, completes hypersonic research mission." SpaceNews. https://spacenews.com/varda-space-reentry-capsule-lands-in-australia-completes-hypersonic-research-mission/
- Defense News. (2025, May 14). "Varda lands third space capsule, carrying key hypersonic flight data." https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/05/14/varda-lands-third-space-capsule-carrying-key-hypersonic-flight-data/
- LeoLabs. (2025, April 7). "LeoLabs Announces Next-Generation Expeditionary Radar for Advanced Space Domain Awareness Missions." https://leolabs.space/press/leolabs-announces-next-generation-expeditionary-radar-for-advanced-space-domain-awareness-missions/
- Albon, C. (2025, April 7). "LeoLabs to deploy expeditionary Scout radar to Indo-Pacific this year." Defense News. https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/04/07/leolabs-to-deploy-expeditionary-scout-radar-to-indo-pacific-this-year/
- Hitchens, T. (2025, April 15). "Pentagon Looks to Ground Radars for Space Domain Awareness." Air & Space Forces Magazine. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/pentagon-ground-based-radars-space-domain-awareness/
- Maher, T. (2024, December 10). "Anduril pulls back curtain on 'Lattice' AI system." InsideDefense.com. https://insidedefense.com/daily-news/anduril-pulls-back-curtain-lattice-ai-system
- Dahlgren, M. (2023, December 20). "Why Hypersonic Missiles' Greatest Strength Also Makes Them Vulnerable: New Report." Air & Space Forces Magazine. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/hypersonic-missiles-tracking-space-sensor/
- Congressional Research Service. (2025, May 15). "Hypersonic Missile Defense: Issues for Congress." USNI News. https://news.usni.org/2025/05/20/report-to-congress-hypersonic-missile-defense
- Hitchens, T. (2025, May 15). "Pentagon to Deploy Space Sensor as Part of Golden Dome." Air & Space Forces Magazine. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/discriminating-space-sensor-golden-dome/
- The Defense Post. (2025, July 7). "LeoLabs to Advance Next-Gen Scout-Class Radar With US Funding." https://thedefensepost.com/2025/07/04/leolabs-scout-class-radar-us/
- ExecutiveBiz. (2025, September 9). "Varda, LeoLabs, Anduril Demonstrate Hypersonic Reentry." https://www.executivebiz.com/articles/varda-leolabs-anduril-hypersonic-reentry-demo
- Payload Space. (2025, April 7). "LeoLabs Unveils Scout Mobile Radar System." https://payloadspace.com/leolabs-unveils-scout-mobile-radar-system/
- Defense Update. (2024, January 6). "Anduril's Lattice AI." https://defense-update.com/20231222_lattice-ai.html
- Varda, LeoLabs, and Anduril demonstrate on-orbit maneuver tracking and AI-enabled software integration in advance of a hypersonic reentry
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