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The first medical X-ray in space
As part of Fram2, launching on March 31 2025, the first human spaceflight over Earth's polar regions, this mission will validate the ability to safely and efficiently acquire diagnostic radiographs in the unique environment of microgravity.
Beyond astronaut health monitoring, the mission will also demonstrate X-ray-based non-destructive testing (NDT), enabling in-flight hardware inspections to detect structural issues and improve spacecraft safety. These advancements will play a critical role in long-duration space missions, ensuring both astronaut well-being and spacecraft integrity.
Project objectives
The effects of microgravity on the human body are well-documented, but real-time diagnostic tools remain limited. The SpaceXray project is designed to:
✅ Assess Bone Health – Measuring bone mineral density to track bone loss in microgravity.
✅ Evaluate Image Quality – Testing contrast, spatial resolution, and diagnostic accuracy in space conditions.
✅ Support Astronaut Safety – Providing injury assessment capabilities for future surface EVAs (extravehicular activities).
✅ Enable Equipment Diagnostics – Using X-ray technology for non-invasive hardware testing, allowing in-flight troubleshooting of spacecraft components.
By proving that medical X-ray imaging is possible in space, SpaceXray will pave the way for improved astronaut healthcare on missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Additionally, its applications in equipment diagnostics could enhance the safety and longevity of future space missions.
The future of deep-space exploration starts with innovation—and SpaceXray is leading the way.
An ultra-portable system to support applications in space and on Earth
MinXray, a leader in portable X-ray systems, has contributed its IMPACT system to the Fram2 mission, featuring a rechargeable lithium-ion battery-powered portable X-ray generator that eliminates the need for external power sources—critical for space applications.
KA Imaging’s Reveal 35C X-ray detector, selected for the mission, is Health Canada and FDA-cleared and incorporates SpectralDR technology. This allows dual-energy subtraction, providing three distinct images—soft tissue, bones, and a traditional radiograph—using a single X-ray exposure. Together, these advancements support the mission’s goals to explore Earth’s polar regions and drive research for long-range space exploration.
Reveal 35C by KA Imaging
IMPACT System by MinXray
Why X-rays in space?
Why X-rays in space?
The need for reliable, accessible healthcare is universal, and SpaceXray aims to make a transformative impact on both Earth and in space. SpaceXray is about empowering healthcare professionals and individuals in even the most remote or challenging environments with the ability to assess bone health and detect potential issues such as bone loss, fractures, or early signs of disease. While space exploration has traditionally relied on ultrasound for in-flight diagnostics, it’s time to expand our capabilities. X-ray imaging, especially for bone density measurements, offers a clear advantage: it provides a higher level of accuracy and faster results, essential for maintaining astronaut health during long-term missions and for addressing critical health concerns in remote settings.
In space, where microgravity accelerates bone loss, timely bone density measurements are crucial to protecting astronaut health and mission success. SpaceXray will enable these assessments, reducing the risk of fractures and other bone-related issues that can compromise a mission’s safety. But the potential of SpaceXray extends beyond space. Its portability makes it an ideal solution for areas with limited access to healthcare, where detecting bone health issues could mean the difference between early intervention and serious complications.
Ultimately, SpaceXray represents a shift toward accessible, reliable diagnostic tools in any environment. By bridging the gap in healthcare availability, especially for vulnerable populations on Earth and astronauts in space, SpaceXray has the potential to improve health outcomes and ensure safer, more successful space exploration missions.
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