Advanced material technologies for space and terrestrial medicine

Abstract

The medical risks of spaceflight are amplified as humans venture into longer-duration and greater-distance deep space voyages. During space missions, astronauts face the extremes of known health hazards, such as cosmic radiation and microgravity, as well as threats of the as-yet-unknown. For these missions to be productive and successful, ensuring the astronauts’ safety and well-being is of foremost priority, and this could be achieved through innovations in space medicine. This Perspective explores the use of material technologies for delivery of space medicine in the context of health maintenance and preventive care, as well as treatment for non-emergency and emergency needs. We highlight innovative drug delivery systems, living pharmacies, regenerative medicine, and 3D printing and bioprinting approaches for health-care provision, and we share our vision on their potential applications in space. Finally, we discuss the benefits of space medicine research and its implications for advancing terrestrial health care. Space exploration amplifies medical risks to human health. Innovation in space medicine, drug delivery, regenerative medicine and 3D printing is key for astronaut health. This Perspective explores advanced material technologies for space health care and their applicability to terrestrial medicine.