this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2023
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[–] [email protected] 109 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (18 children)

This is actually pretty interesting.

On June 30, its first drug-manufacturing experiment succeeded in growing crystals of the drug ritonavir, which is used for the treatment of HIV, in orbit. The microgravity environment provides some benefits that could make for better production in space, overall reducing gravity-induced defects. Protein crystals made in space form larger and more perfect crystals than those created on Earth, according to NASA.

Unfortunately there's no info on why it's being denied reentry. (But my money is on the long standing secret policy of the dark world government lizard cat people to not cure space aids)(I also don't have any money)

[–] DeusHircus 17 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't believe there's much of a track record for private crafts reentering from orbit, intending to be recovered. Most private crafts like communication satellites breakup on reentry and don't pose much of a risk to ground population. This station was designed specifically to survive reentry intact. I'm not sure what kind of deorbit equipment that station has but I would guess that's what the FAA is concerned with. Any failure of navigation or propulsion during deorbit could result in the station losing control which would have it crashing down in some unpredictable point and time along its 25,000 mile path over ground. Undoubtedly there are some large populations below the orbit of this station

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

To paraphrase the CEO they are de-orbiting a 1986 Toyota Corolla. So if you try any course correction over about 80 Mph it’s just going to crash ;-)

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