Bioastronautics advancements for space exploration

In microgravity, our bodies undergo silent yet profound transformations. Bone density vanishes, joints weaken, muscles decondition – changes that might take decades on Earth but happen within months in orbit. Current counter-measures like resistive exercise or Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) help, but without real-time diagnostics, we’re essentially hoping they’re enough. Hope, however, is not a counter-measure. A recent paper proposes integrating DeepSeek-VL, a Vision Large Language model, with LBNP to create an autonomous orthopaedic diagnostic system for astronauts. The idea is striking. Imagine an AI that analyzes in-flight radiographs, bio-mechanical telemetry, and LBNP data to instantly advise: “Your trabecular micro-architecture shows cortical thinning; increase axial loading by 12%.” Unlike OpenAI's GPT-4 or Anthropic's Claude, DeepSeek-VL’s architecture enables computational efficiency, crucial for deployment in the International Space Station (ISS)’s resource-constrained environment. Its federated learning approach allows integration of astronaut health data across missions while preserving privacy – not just a technical choice, but a philosophical pivot toward resilient, adaptive intelligence. The edge deployment challenges are formidable. Radiation-hardened FPGAs or low-power GPUs like NVIDIA Jetson modules must run these models amidst cosmic rays and power constraints – a testament to human ingenuity in hostile frontiers. Beyond orbit, this same AI-driven autonomy could revolutionize terrestrial orthopaedics, enabling remote monitoring after joint replacements, spinal surgery, or injury rehabilitation without in-person visits. Musculoskeletal health in microgravity isn’t just a fitness problem; it’s an existential challenge demanding AI systems capable not merely of analysis, but of understanding – with nuance, adaptability, and trustworthiness. Reference paper: https://lnkd.in/g5AJNPjV #SpaceMedicine #AI #DeepSeek #Orthopedics #Microgravity #EdgeAI #Biomechanics #FederatedLearning #Innovation #MarsMission #SpaceExploration #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #Telemedicine #Astronauts

A small, fully automated lab has been sent into space to test if yeast can produce food and other essentials in microgravity. This experiment, launched aboard the Phoenix spacecraft via SpaceX on April 21, 2025, aims to explore precision fermentation in space. Precision fermentation uses microbes like yeast to create specific ingredients such as proteins, fats, and vitamins. In space, this method could help astronauts produce their own food, medicines, and materials, reducing the need to transport these supplies from Earth. The mini lab, developed by Frontier Space, carries engineered yeast strains designed to produce nutrients and other compounds. Once the lab returns to Earth, scientists will analyze how well the yeast grew and what it produced. This research builds on previous studies, such as NASA's BioNutrients project, which demonstrated that engineered yeast could produce essential nutrients in space environments. If successful, this technology could be a game-changer for long-duration space missions, enabling sustainable production of food and other necessities directly in space.

🌱🚀 Arthrospira platensis in Life Support Systems 🌍🔬 The Arthrospira platensis inoculation rack demonstrates active oxygen generation, a crucial component of the VEGANAUT Life Support Protocol. The photos document Spirulina's O₂ production, validating its role in maintaining a stable and self-sustaining atmospheric composition for long-duration space missions. 🔹 Key Contributions of Spirulina to VEGANAUT Life Support 🌞 Oxygen Production – Through photosynthesis, Spirulina absorbs CO₂ and releases O₂, reducing dependency on mechanical oxygen generators. 🌍 Carbon Dioxide Reduction – Acts as a CO₂ scrubber, regulating atmospheric composition in closed-loop habitats. 🍽️ Nutrient Recycling – Efficiently converts waste CO₂ into biomass, integrating into bioregenerative life support. ♻️ Protein and Micronutrient Source – Provides high-value nutrition, supplementing astronaut diets with essential amino acids, iron, and antioxidants. 🌟 Spirulina functions as both a bioreactor component and a nutritional resource, making it indispensable for long-duration missions on orbital stations, lunar bases, and Mars habitats. 🌱🔁 Its dual role enhances system redundancy, autonomy, and sustainability, reducing resupply demands and increasing mission resilience. These findings validate VEGANAUT’s approach to integrating algae bioreactors into closed-loop space habitats, advancing self-sustaining life support solutions for deep-space exploration. #VEGANAUT #SpaceBiotech #LifeSupport #Algae #Spirulina #OxygenGeneration #MarsMission #SustainableSpace #DeepSpaceExploration #FutureOfSpace #Mars

This model blood vessel was made using 3D bioprinting to help investigate how weightlessness changes the cardiovascular systems of astronauts in orbit. Microgravity alters the human body in myriad ways, including changes to blood flow through the body, increased risk of blood clots and even the shape of the heart, which grows more spherical over time. These bioprinted models will be used to assess the mechanics of these changes. “We used a blend of sodium alginate and gelatine as ‘bio-ink’, with a bath of calcium chloride to serve as a support for the printed structure,” explains Benedetto Caracci, biomedical engineering student at the University of Pavia and current trainee at ESA’s ESTEC technical centre, leading this ESA-supported study, known as ‘Special’: the impact of SPacE CondItions on ArteriaL biology using a bioprinted vessel model. “It is a challenge for the soft biofabricated structure to retain its desired shape following extrusion, so we applied the FRESH – ‘freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels’ – 3D bioprinting method, providing a temporary support that can then be removed after the print process.” Once these high-resolution blood vessel models are complete they will be subjected to preliminary examination, including micro-CT scans to check their external and internal dimensions, porosity, material density distribution, and roughness; tensile test and dynamic mechanical analysis to test their overall strength and elasticity; and fluid dynamics testing where a blood-like liquid will be pumped through them. #ESA #Special #FRESH #3DBioprinting

>Technology's Role in Enabling Human Exploration of the Moon How are humans going to be able to survive on the moon? What technologies are needed to support these inspiring missions and how do we leverage these technologies to advance healthcare here on Earth? Technology will play a pivotal role in advancing moon life science and medicine, revolutionizing our understanding and capabilities in lunar exploration and habitation. From remote sensing and biomedical sensors to AI-powered health monitoring and synthetic biology, innovative technologies will enable us to monitor astronaut health, produce essential medicines, and develop regenerative therapies tailored to the challenges of space travel. These advancements are essential for ensuring the well-being and success of human missions on the moon. Amongst these, one of the most critical pieces of technology is maintaining the complexity of human health from the cellular level. Stem cells and regenerative medicine hold pivotal roles in ensuring the success and sustainability of human missions on the moon. These cells are already showing tremendous potential in healing and treating diseases here on Earth. These innovative technologies offer the potential to address critical health challenges posed by long-duration space travel, such as bone density loss, muscle atrophy, and tissue damage from radiation exposure. Additionally, bioengineered tissues and organs created through regenerative medicine techniques could provide astronauts with on-demand medical treatments for injuries and ailments, reducing dependence on Earth for medical supplies. The challenge will be how to ensure these bioprocesses are functional on the Moon as studies have demonstrated how stem cells are particularly sensitive to the effects of different gravitational forces which ultimately dictate their cell fate. This will require an array of highly complex equipment and cellular technologies. Current bioreactors, while effective on Earth, present formidable obstacles for sustaining human missions on the moon due to their bulkiness and intricacy. These traditional bioprocessing systems are typically large, cumbersome, and reliant on extensive infrastructure, rendering them unsuitable for space travel. Moreover, their operation consumes significant energy and resources, which are scarce in lunar environments. As a result, there's an urgent need for compact, lightweight, and efficient bioreactors tailored to the unique constraints of space habitats. Addressing these limitations is crucial for ensuring the production of critical medical supplies, biologics, and food resources essential for supporting human health and well-being during lunar missions. What additional efforts are needed to ensure the reliability and scalability of regenerative medicine processes for sustaining human health during lunar exploration missions? #LinkedInNewsAustralia #moonmission #regenerativemedicine #bioprocessing #spacebiology

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒆𝒔? Microorganisms are emerging as essential tools for deep #spacemissions, offering solutions for resource extraction, life support, and sustainable habitats. Recent studies demonstrate their potential in bio-mining, where 𝘚𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘴 successfully extracted rare-earth elements from basalt aboard the ISS, proving microbes could facilitate in-situ resource utilization. Synthetic biology is also advancing biomanufacturing, with 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘴 engineered to detoxify Martian water and 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 modified to synthesize medicines. Meanwhile, microbial-based construction, using 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘪 for bio-cement and fungi for self-growing habitats, offers innovative solutions for extraterrestrial infrastructure. However, space alters microbial behavior, affecting their metabolism and pathogenicity. Understanding these adaptations is crucial for astronaut safety and optimizing microbial applications. As human exploration extends beyond Earth, microbes may prove indispensable, transforming planetary environments and enabling sustainable space colonization! Microvioma Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS) Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre ABLE - Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises CYMBIOTICS BIOPHARMA PRIVATE LIMITED World Health Organization #spaceexploration #spaceresearch #nasa #microbiome #microbesinspace #microbiomehealth #maneeshpaul #planetaryhealth #onehealth #marsexploration