How we benefit from space medicine on Earth

Many of us don't even realize how much impact space medicine research has had on the development of cutting-edge medical technologies used on Earth. Telemedicine, robotics and miniaturization in particular have made great strides through innovations for space.

Prof. Dr. Claudia Stern heads the Institute of Clinical Aerospace Medicine (ILR) and the Department of Clinical Aerospace Medicine (LRM) at the German Aerospace Center in Cologne. As a flight physician and ophthalmologist, she examines the eye health of astronauts, among other things. We spoke to her about some of the medical devices that have been developed in recent decades for use on space missions - and how they came to be used here on Earth.

The ophthalmologist reports: “At the beginning of German space travel with the German missions, there was the idea that there might be increased pressure in the brain and in the eye. And that's why there was an experiment on the D2 mission in which the astronauts measured each other's intraocular pressure. Elevated intraocular pressure poses a risk of glaucoma with possible loss of vision.

But by the time the space travelers were able to unbuckle themselves in the space shuttle and collect the equipment, so much time had passed that it was assumed that the peak had already been passed.”

For this reason, a tonometer was developed with which the astronauts could measure their own intraocular pressure. The device was then used on the next German mission and on the German-Russian mission. “This allowed the astronauts to directly measure values with an increase of more than 114 percent,” recalls Prof. Dr. Stern.

1993

Prof. Dr. Stern remembers: “During the D2 mission, the astronauts' bodies were tested with various sensors that could be used to examine their vital parameters and discuss them via telemedicine. DLR then continued the project with the children's hospital in Cologne to monitor premature babies.”

1996

In DLR's telemedicine project with the Cologne-Porz Children's Hospital, infants were then monitored remotely with sensors on their onesies. The aim was that this could also be done from home by a doctor in a clinic.

2024

Same principle, higher technological level: the “Mona” system collects all digital vital data from patients in the intensive care unit at Düren Hospital and provides a tool for telemedical consultations - here, for example, with a doctor at Aachen University Hospital.

Many of the medical challenges in space are reflected in the problems that also exist on Earth, be it with ageing populations, immunocompromised people or people suffering from isolation and stress. Cancer research in particular can be pursued in a completely different way here, as cells can be studied particularly well in zero gravity because they can grow in three dimensions without restriction.

From a structural and technological point of view, the medical devices developed for space automatically have great advantages: they are as small and light as possible, the design and material are extra stable, safe and therefore particularly durable.

With regard to approval on Earth, passing tests under the extreme conditions in space is also the best prerequisite for rapid implementation.

This is why research into human health in space is not only of crucial importance for future space missions, but also continues to provide important findings and technologies for medicine on Earth. Let's see how space research will inspire us in the future!