First Diagnostic X-rays in Space Mark a New Era for Astronaut Health

When it comes to game-changing technology for exploring space, many don't think of X-ray machines as a crucial component. X-rays have been around since 1895, yet they're still considered essential for diagnostic imaging. They could also help examine equipment and samples during missions.

X-rays have historically been used on the International Space Station (ISS) and various missions, but they require extensive training to use properly and interpret results. In microgravity, getting clear X-rays of people or objects is considered challenging due to the abundance of movement. However, a team led by physician Sheyna Gifford is working to change that.

The SpaceXray initiative, collaborating with companies like MinXray, has been studying the feasibility of taking clinically useful X-rays in microgravity. In 2022, Gifford volunteered for a parabolic plane flight that simulated microgravity, successfully capturing the first clear X-ray of human bones in such an environment. This success led to the deployment of a portable, high-speed digital MinXray device aboard the SpaceX Fram2 mission in March 2025.

During the mission, the crew, with only about four hours of training, successfully used the device to capture clear X-rays of bones in a human hand, torso, pelvis, and small equipment. These images were reviewed by radiologists on Earth, confirming their diagnostic utility. The findings were published in the July 2026 issue of the journal Radiology.

This research paves the way for smaller, faster, and easier-to-use X-ray imaging devices in space and remote locations on Earth. Future research will focus on bone density measurement in astronauts and expanding X-ray technology's utility.