The company is Varda Space. They are experimenting with manufacturing drugs in space. Their first batch returned to earth today, landing in the Utah desert.
I know you're asking: why manufacture drugs in space? Well basically when creating crystals on earth, there is sometimes a more stable but less useful form that ends up emerging. I don't really understand this ( I failed chemistry lol) but kinda interesting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearing_polymorphs
The specific drug made in space is called Retonavir, which is used for helping with HIV patients. So no, the title of this post wasn't even a joke. Lest you think that I made this up:
Outside of the memes, this is pretty neat. Who knows what other stuff we will manufacture in orbit, with the cost of space launches decreasing?
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Space AIDS drugs will finally enable fully automated gay luxury space communism
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
More options
Context