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In a microgravity environment, the typical forces acting on the crystallization process are minimized. Without Earth's gravitational pull, molecules in solution can assemble into crystals with different shapes and internal structures. This altered crystallization can lead to purer, more uniform crystals—an ideal outcome for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
By controlling the shape and size of drug crystals, scientists can improve how drugs dissolve in the body, their stability, and how effectively they deliver medicinal benefits. The microgravity environment thus provides an avenue to produce better, more consistent medications.