09:28 AM EST, 01/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Rocket Lab USA ( RKLB ) said Wednesday its second spacecraft for Varda Space Industries is now operating on orbit after the mission launched Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The mission includes a Rocket Lab Pioneer spacecraft and a Varda re-entry capsule with a spectrometer from the Air Force Research Laboratory, the company said.

The mission is the second of four for Varda, Rocket Lab said, adding the third spacecraft is complete and awaits shipment for launch.

Financial details weren't provided.