In this week’s edition of The Prototype, we explore the U.K.’s first space launch license, the growth of mini-organs instead of transplanting them, nuclear reactors on the Moon, and more. Sign up to receive The Prototype in your inbox here.
Skyrora CEO Volodymyr Levykin
Sportsfile via Getty Images
Glasgow, Scotland-based company Skyrora made history this week by becoming the first U.K.-based company to be licensed to launch rockets in the country. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the U.K.’s space industry, traditionally focused on satellite development and manufacturing. The license allows Skyrora to use its suborbital Skylark L rockets to transport payloads for its clients.
CEO and founder Volodymyr Levykin revealed that the company’s next goal is to obtain an orbital launch license, which would enable the Skylark XL rocket to deploy satellites into Earth’s orbit. The target is to launch this rocket for the first time in the latter half of 2026.
Meanwhile, Skyrora is leveraging its large 3D printing facility to generate revenue by manufacturing aerospace components for other customers. Levykin emphasized the long-term vision of finding revenue streams to finance the space program independently, reducing reliance on external investors.
Stay tuned for further developments.
This Startup Enables Patients Who Need Transplants To Grow New Mini-Organs
Lygenesis scientist prepares liver cells for injection into the lymph node.
Lygenesis
Every year, over 50,000 patients succumb to liver disease in the United States. For many of these individuals, a liver transplant offers the only hope for treatment. However, a scarcity of donor livers and ineligibility for transplantation restricts many patients from receiving this life-saving procedure.
Michael Hufford, CEO of Pittsburgh-based Lygenesis, aims to revolutionize the field by developing technology that induces a patient’s lymph nodes to cultivate miniature livers. These mini-organs can perform essential liver functions, aiding patients in maintaining their health.
Lymph nodes serve as miniature cellular factories, continually producing cells that bolster the immune system. Lygenesis utilizes hepatocytes, a specialized liver cell type extracted from donor organs, and injects them into a lymph node. This process triggers the lymph node to grow an ectopic organ, mimicking the functions of the original liver. The company estimates that one donor liver can supply hepatocytes for growing new organs in up to 75 patients.
Lygenesis is currently conducting trials on patients with end-stage liver disease, with plans to expand research to include other ectopic organs like the kidney, pancreas, and thymus for treating various conditions.
DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK: A PLANET AROUND OUR CLOSEST NEIGHBOR
Recent images from the Webb Space Telescope suggest the presence of a gas giant orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the closest Sun-like star to Earth at just over 4 light-years away. If confirmed, this discovery would mark the first direct imaging of a planet in such proximity to its star. The gas giant, comparable in size to Saturn, maintains temperatures conducive to life support. While life may not thrive on the planet itself, potential moons akin to those around Saturn or Jupiter could harbor life.
FINAL FRONTIER: A NUCLEAR REACTOR ON THE MOON
NASA aims to deploy a functional nuclear fission reactor on the Moon by the end of the decade, as announced by acting Administrator Sean Duffy. This initiative, ongoing for over a decade, seeks to sustain a continuous human presence on the Moon. Nuclear power presents a practical solution for lunar energy needs, particularly during the extended lunar nights.
WHAT ELSE I WROTE THIS WEEK
In my additional newsletters, InnovationRx and The Wiretap, my team and I covered diverse topics ranging from drug pricing demands to cybersecurity threats and advancements in virtual cell models for drug discovery.
SCIENCE AND TECH TIDBITS
Does infinity exist? Scientific American delves into a branch of mathematics challenging the notion of infinity, proposing finite universe principles. This alternative math approach holds promise for addressing complex physics problems lacking current solutions.
Shares of Firefly Aerospace surged over 30% during its IPO, following the successful Moon landing of its Blue Ghost lander earlier this year.
A concerning rise in fake and substandard research studies threatens scientific integrity, particularly in specialized fields, where rigorous research risks being overshadowed.
Nuclear power startup Radiant secured a deal to provide portable nuclear microreactors for installation at military bases, catering to the Air Force’s energy requirements.
PRO SCIENCE TIP: TROUBLE SLEEPING? TRY EXERCISE
A recent study underscores the link between frequent exercise and improved sleep quality. Individuals engaging in regular exercise, even in short durations, exhibit better deep restorative sleep patterns. The study, analyzing Fitbit data from 69 participants, highlights the positive impact of physical activity on sleep.
WHAT’S ENTERTAINING ME THIS WEEK
I recently completed Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring by Alexander Rose. This captivating history explores the Culper Ring, a group of childhood friends turned spies during the Revolutionary War, shedding light on their pivotal role in uncovering Benedict Arnold’s betrayal and monitoring British activities in occupied New York City.
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