The pursuit of better drugs through orbital space crystals

In The Andromeda Strain, Michael Crichton wrote about killer alien space crystals that are (spoiler alert) ultimately stymied by Earth’s breadth of pH values. In reality, crystals grown in space could be key to a new generation of cancer-fighting treatments that save lives, not threaten them.

Colorado-based startup Sierra Space is nearly ready to launch its reusable space plane, Dream Chaser. It’s set to carry into orbit a 3-D printed module designed by engineers at pharma giant Merck. If the test goes well, and if Dream Chaser’s gentle reentry process keeps that sensitive cargo safe, this could be the start of something big — despite those crystals being microscopic.

Read more: [https://www.theverge.com/space/670339/sierra-space-crystals-merck-dream-chaser-drugs](https://www.theverge.com/space/670339/sierra-space-crystals-merck-dream-chaser-drugs)

Orbital space crystals sounds like a street name for some kind of psychedelic drug.