A plan to make drugs in orbit is going commercial

Q: Varda Space Industries signed a deal with United Therapeutics to test drug crystallization in microg

Varda Space Industries signed a deal with United Therapeutics to test drug crystallization in microgravity, moving space-based pharmaceutical manufacturing closer to commercial reality.

Q: NASA plans to launch a nuclear reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft to Mars by end of 2028, pot

NASA plans to launch a nuclear reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft to Mars by end of 2028, potentially giving the US an edge over China in deep space exploration.

Q: Anduril raised $5 billion led by Thrive Capital and a16z, doubling its valuation to over $60 billion

Anduril raised $5 billion led by Thrive Capital and a16z, doubling its valuation to over $60 billion, with a potential IPO next year.

The Download from MIT Technology Review·Wednesday, May 13, 2026·6 min read

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MIT Technology Review's May 13, 2026 newsletter covers Varda Space Industries' commercial deal with United Therapeutics to manufacture drugs in microgravity, and NASA's plan to launch a nuclear reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft to Mars by end of 2028. The must-reads section covers major tech stories including Sam Altman's accusations against Elon Musk over OpenAI control, Google and SpaceX discussions on orbital data centers, and Anduril doubling its valuation to $60 billion.

Key Facts

✓Varda Space Industries signed a deal with United Therapeutics to test drug crystallization in microgravity, moving space-based pharmaceutical manufacturing closer to commercial reality.

✓NASA plans to launch a nuclear reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft to Mars by end of 2028, potentially giving the US an edge over China in deep space exploration.

✓Anduril raised $5 billion led by Thrive Capital and a16z, doubling its valuation to over $60 billion, with a potential IPO next year.

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