this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2023
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[–] WarmSoda@lemm.ee 107 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 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)

[–] PrincessLeiasCat@sh.itjust.works 47 points 1 year ago (3 children)

A spokesperson from the FAA told TechCrunch in an emailed statement that the company’s request was not granted at this time “due to the overall safety, risk and impact analysis.”

That could mean so many different things.

[–] krey@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Occam's razor: They don't want a sattelite with an new compound with unknown effects to go down in someones backyard.

[–] PrincessLeiasCat@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And I wouldn’t doubt that that played a huge role in the decision, but I’m curious as to what, if anything, changed between when they created the mission profile /launched it, and now. Did they not get some basic permit to launch it that also included the entry plan, which was approved?

That’s what I’m unsure of.

[–] nal@lib.lgbt 6 points 1 year ago

I don't think the launch permits have anything to do with this company at all. They would've just purchased a ride on another company's rocket (likely Space X or ULA). They probably assumed they could figure out reentry when they got to that point in the mission. I can't say for sure, but they very well may even have multiple plans for getting the capsule back, and this was just the first one they tried.

[–] DoomBot5@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

I think they're more worried about it landing on someone's head.

[–] Etterra@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

Nah, they're probably afraid subject else would get to it first and steal trade secrets. The Greed Principle overrides Occam's Razor.

[–] bradorsomething@ttrpg.network 3 points 1 year ago

I mean it could hit an F-35

[–] sramder@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Could just explicitly mean impact analysis, like we’re not cool with what happens if the parachute burns up or fails to deploy.

[–] PrincessLeiasCat@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yep, definitely an option. I guess I’m just confused as to why this is just now a problem and they didn’t have a plan from the beginning. Or if they did, what changed?

[–] sramder@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Right? Like was the kickstarter only partially funded ;-)

[–] DeusHircus@lemmy.zip 16 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

[–] sramder@lemmy.world 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 ;-)

[–] easydnesto@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Man I really enjoyed Inside Job, I hope they get to finish the storyline.

[–] Jackcooper@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Is there precedent for shows that Netflix canceled getting a chance to finish their storylines?

[–] Skullgrid@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

they go to Adult Swim

[–] moody@lemmings.world 2 points 1 year ago

Sense8 eventually got a movie-length series finale to resolve the cliffhanger ending after the show was cancelled after season 2 was completed (in expectation of a season 3 being released)

[–] HerbalGamer@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago

Hey leave the kitties out of this