Conclusion

Improving our understanding of how gravity – one of the fundamental forces of physics – has shaped living beings since they first appeared is important not just for finding answers to fundamental scientific questions, but it is also an opportunity for major advances in applied sciences. Experiments in space or in simulated microgravity have provided a wealth of discoveries concerning the impacts of gravity and zero-g. However, a great many of the changes observed in microgravity are not fully understood.

It has been shown that the benefits of the microgravity environment can be extended beyond the confines of research, into industrial clinical testing or production. A number of pharmaceutical and medical products could benefit from microgravity conditions to allow high-quality production while retaining an economic advantage. Research and development are needed...