Europe is advancing its cancer research efforts with the announcement of its first commercial orbital cancer laboratory, set to study tumors in microgravity. The initiative, unveiled by SPARK Microgravity GmbH at the Frontiers Science House in Davos, Switzerland, aims to explore drug targets that remain obscured under Earth’s gravitational pull. This facility will operate in low Earth orbit, allowing researchers to conduct experiments that are impossible in conventional laboratories.
During a public session titled “Curing Cancer in Space,” SPARK Microgravity executives detailed how the unique conditions of microgravity could significantly enhance the understanding of cancer biology. The company emphasized that gravity influences cell growth, sedimentation, and interaction, which can distort research results on Earth. In the weightlessness of space, these constraints vanish, providing a clearer picture of how cancer behaves.
Allison Bajet, CEO and co-founder of SPARK Microgravity, illustrated this concept with an analogy. She likened simulated microgravity to “trying to listen to a symphony inside a construction zone,” where distracting noises hinder clarity. In contrast, she described real microgravity as a “soundproof room,” allowing scientists to perceive biological signals with unprecedented precision.
The orbital lab will enable three-dimensional tumor growth experiments, which more accurately mimic the behavior of cancers within the human body. This capability could lead to the identification of new drug targets and help clarify why some treatments prove effective in theory but fail in practice.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Missions
SPARK Microgravity is collaborating with Axiom Space and Voyager Technologies to establish commercial low Earth orbit platforms for their research operations. These partnerships will facilitate the necessary infrastructure for the laboratory. Additionally, ATMOS Space Cargo will assist with future return missions, bringing biological samples back to Earth for further analysis. The company has underscored the importance of reliable return capabilities for clinical translation of their findings.
An initial flight demonstration is scheduled for May 2024, supported by the Swedish Space Corporation. This mission will test systems intended for future cancer experiments aboard the orbital lab. SPARK Microgravity is also set to collaborate with HyPrSpace, a French startup, which has developed the Baguette-One launch vehicle. This will be the first rocket launched from France, marking a significant milestone in European space capabilities tied to biomedical research.
The announcement at Frontiers Science House is part of a broader initiative to integrate scientific research into global decision-making processes. The Davos setting allowed SPARK Microgravity to showcase its plans in front of policymakers, investors, and industry leaders, aiming to accelerate the development of science-driven solutions.
SPARK Microgravity envisions the orbital cancer lab as a pivotal step toward normalizing space research in drug development. The company believes that microgravity research will evolve into a standard tool in the quest for effective cancer treatments, potentially revolutionizing how we approach one of humanity’s most challenging health issues.
