Meet the 32-Year-Old Star with a Famous Mom Who Could Outshine Blue Origin’s Crew

This week, Blue Origin’s flight featured a spotlight on an all-female crew, including high-profile figures like Jeff Bezos’ partner Lauren Sanchez and Oprah Winfrey’s friend Gayle King. They joyfully experienced weightlessness for four minutes after crossing the Kármán line, traditionally marking the boundary of space. However, backlash has emerged, with critics labeling the mission as extravagant and questioning its impact on women’s representation in STEM fields.

Meanwhile, on Earth, visionary women are making significant strides in space science. One such innovator is Dr. Katie King, a nanoscientist with a Ph.D. from Cambridge. Recently, she testified at the House of Lords about her groundbreaking enterprise, Bio Orbit, which aims to utilize zero-gravity conditions to revolutionize cancer treatments. This innovative approach could enable the production of therapeutic antibodies in space, potentially allowing for at-home, self-administered injections for cancer patients.

With backing from the European Space Agency, Dr. King is preparing trials aboard the International Space Station for 2024, aiming to establish the first factory in orbit dedicated to drug production. Her mission resonates strongly, promising transformative impacts not only for cancer treatment but across various medical fields, including Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis.