[ajmurmann]

Varda Space is working on this. The term "factories in space" in their case doesn't match the images it brings to mind. They use relatively small devices that run chemical processes for medication production that work much better in zero gravity. I understood it in essence to work that way that you shoot the device into space, the reactions take place and the thing crashes back to earth for collection. Supposedly it has a huge cost advantage and should fit what the author wants.

More info: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3kmdbUZYWIJ5wujPDRfBvD

[eesmith]

When I hear "Varda" I think of the 1980 movie Battle Beyond the Stars. Any connection?

Concerning the business model, I can't help but think that small processes don't generate much material, resulting in a high cost. If there's a market for the result, then their business model is always at risk that some Earth-based chemist develops a cheaper method which works at 1 gravity.

That seems like an awful lot of risk.

[BriggyDwiggs42]

I’m just a layman and all, but how in god’s name could it be cheaper to launch it into space than to create a large manufacturing process on the ground?

[MPSimmons]

It's actually that microgravity allows you to create much more effective drugs.

https://www.varda.com/science/gravity-as-a-knob-for-tuning-p...

[BriggyDwiggs42]

Other than research, is the idea that this would be used for very expensive, made to order treatments? When you have to pay to launch the mass of the medicine into space, I can’t see any other model being economical.

[ajmurmann]

AFAIK launching into space isn't actually that expensive anymore for the volumes and masses we are discussing. I'm pretty sure they get into the numbers inn the linked podcast but honestly don't want to relisten to the entire thing to be able to quote exact numbers.

[BriggyDwiggs42]

Hmm okay I’ll give it a listen. I get a bit intimidated by podcasts.