Rhea AutoNav payload flies on Varda W-6 hypersonic reentry test
51 FOMORhea Space Activity flew a custom two-camera AutoNav payload on Varda’s W-6 mission launched from Vandenberg. The system images stars and LEO satellites, matching them against the U.S. Space Force Unified Data Library to provide position during the RF blackout of reentry. It marks the first hypersonic atmospheric use of the JPL-heritage AutoNav software.
Why it matters
Demonstrating optical navigation through plasma sheath opens a clear path to attritable hypersonic and reentry platforms that cannot rely on GPS.
Coverage
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Rhea Space Activity ·
Rhea Space Activity to Test Hypersonic GPS-Denied Navigation Payload on Varda W-6 MissionRhea Space Activity announced a hosted payload of two cameras and a flight computer on Varda’s W-6 mission to test AutoNav during hypersonic atmospheric reentry. The system is designed to navigate through the plasma sheath when GPS and RF are unavailable.
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Varda Space Industries / X ·
W-6 is now in orbitVarda announced W-6 reached orbit carrying an AFRL-funded interior autonomous navigation system from Rhea Space Activity to determine vehicle position during GPS blackout on reentry, plus exterior thermal protection experiments.
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Veenie.Space Telemetry
Rhea Space Activity flew a custom two-camera AutoNav payload on Varda’s W-6 mission launched from Va