The Download: making drugs in orbit and NASA’s nuclear-powered spacecraft

2026-05-13 · Source: MIT Technology Review · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation, Cloud Computing & IT Infrastructure · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, medium

Summary

Varda Space Industries has partnered with United Therapeutics to explore drug crystallization in microgravity, aiming to develop improved pharmaceuticals in orbit. This initiative is becoming more feasible due to decreasing launch costs and reusable rocket technology. Concurrently, NASA plans to launch a nuclear reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft to Mars by late 2028, a project that could significantly advance spaceflight and US competitiveness. The tech sector is also abuzz with news of Sam Altman's claims regarding Elon Musk's attempts to control OpenAI, Google and SpaceX discussing orbital data centers, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang lobbying in China. Other notable developments include Palantir's data provision to ICE, Anduril's valuation doubling to over $60 billion, Meta employees protesting computer tracking, and a new lawsuit against OpenAI over ChatGPT's medical advice.

Key takeaway

For CTOs and VPs of Engineering evaluating future technology investments, consider the accelerating feasibility of space-based manufacturing and advanced propulsion. Your teams should investigate the potential for microgravity to create new material properties, particularly in pharmaceuticals, and monitor developments in nuclear-powered spacecraft for long-duration missions. Additionally, remain vigilant about AI governance, data privacy concerns, and the inherent limitations of current AI models like hallucination, which continue to pose significant risks in critical applications.

Key insights

Space-based manufacturing and advanced propulsion are transforming aerospace, while AI and data privacy issues dominate tech discourse.

Principles

• Microgravity alters drug crystallization.
• Nuclear propulsion enables faster space travel.
• AI hallucination remains a core challenge.

Method

Varda Space Industries will test drug crystallization in microgravity. NASA is developing a nuclear reactor for interplanetary spacecraft propulsion to Mars by 2028.

In practice

• Consider microgravity for novel drug properties.
• Evaluate nuclear propulsion for deep space missions.
• Be aware of AI chatbot hallucination risks.

Topics

• Space-based Manufacturing
• Nuclear Space Propulsion
• Orbital Data Centers
• AI Ethics
• AI Hallucination

Best for: CTO, VP of Engineering/Data, Director of AI/ML, General Interest, Tech Journalist, Executive

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by MIT Technology Review.