Life Sciences in Space Research最新文献

{"title":"Microgravity as a contributing factor to venous thromboembolism development: Risks and prevention strategies","authors":"Nilanjana Ghosh,&nbsp;Iti Garg,&nbsp;Swati Srivastava","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) being the third most occurring cardiovascular disease in the world after Myocardial Infarction and Stroke is very fatal. Being a multi-factorial disease, several risk factors in the terrestrial condition plays crucial part in the disease topography. Once exposed to microgravity, the weightlessness influences several thrombotic parameters, thus making astronauts in-flight to develop higher blood viscosity and increased risk of VTE. An astronaut travelling to the International Space Station developed a blood clot in the left internal Jugular vein, according to a recent case report. A proven way of treating clot development in microgravity does not exist. The information for the current investigation was gathered from reports that were readily available on microgravity and venous thrombosis. Reports on the impact of ground-based analogue and microgravity on the coagulation system demonstrate significant variation in study approaches, goals, and results. Based on the information that is currently available, it has been determined that little is known about the risk factors, pathological regulation, repercussions, and clinical manifestations related to coagulation systems in spaceflight (microgravity). Data, however, indicates that astronauts may be subjected to an elevated coagulation state in the cerebral venous systems when in spaceflight because of an increase in venous pressure and a decrease or reversal of blood flow. High fibrinogen levels, endothelial injury, and to some extent hypercoagulation were also noted. The study recognizes the critical need for additional research to assess the pathogenic processes in the blood that take place during actual spaceflight. This vital knowledge will advise risk estimation, diagnostic possibilities, and countermeasures for thrombosis mitigation in a microgravity setting during future space travel.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 53-60"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143760553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leveraging lower body negative pressure for enhanced outcomes in orthopedic arthroplasty—Insights from NASA’s bone health research","authors":"Phani Paladugu ,&nbsp;Rahul Kumar ,&nbsp;Tamer Hage ,&nbsp;Swapna Vaja ,&nbsp;Tejas Sekhar ,&nbsp;Samuel Weisberg ,&nbsp;Kyle Sporn ,&nbsp;Ethan Waisberg ,&nbsp;Joshua Ong ,&nbsp;AmarS. Vadhera ,&nbsp;Mouayad Masalkhi ,&nbsp;Ryung Lee ,&nbsp;Chirag Gowda ,&nbsp;Ram Jagadeesan ,&nbsp;Nasif Zaman ,&nbsp;Alireza Tavakkoli","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Exposure to microgravity causes rapid bone loss and muscle atrophy, posing serious challenges for long-duration spaceflight. In response, NASA developed countermeasures such as Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) to simulate gravitational loading on astronauts’ lower extremities. LBNP, often combined with exercise, has proven effective in mitigating musculoskeletal degradation during bed rest analogs. This opinion paper argues that LBNP’s success in preserving bone mass and muscle function in microgravity can be translated to improve recovery after orthopedic arthroplasty on Earth. We draw physiological parallels between microgravity-induced musculoskeletal disuse and the postoperative period following total joint replacement, during which reduced weight-bearing leads to bone density loss around the implant (periprosthetic osteopenia) and muscle weakness. We propose that applying LBNP as a therapeutic adjunct, for example, in daily sessions soon after surgery – could enhance limb perfusion, promote bone remodeling and implant osseointegration, and accelerate functional rehabilitation. We review NASA’s evidence supporting LBNP’s osteogenic and anti-atrophy effects, outline potential mechanisms in the surgical context (including improved circulation, mechanical loading, and edema reduction), and present a vision for clinical implementation. While acknowledging technical and logistical challenges, we take a polemical stance that leveraging this spaceflight-derived innovation could transform postoperative care in orthopedics. Clinical studies are now warranted to validate LBNP in arthroplasty patients, bridging aerospace medicine and terrestrial healthcare for improved outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 187-190"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144089310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Human thermoregulation in microgravity environments: Insights from a computational model","authors":"Chithramol M.K.,&nbsp;Shine S.R.","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A three-dimensional computational model of human thermoregulation has been developed to analyze body temperature distribution in microgravity. By incorporating appropriate modifications, the model effectively captures physiological changes observed in microgravity, including fluid shifts, reduced blood flow, metabolic changes, musculoskeletal adaptations, impaired sweating, and environmental effects. Comparisons with experimental data across various physical and environmental conditions demonstrate that the model effectively predicts the body core and skin temperature distribution. Results indicate that microgravity exposure consistently increases core body temperature (CBT) across all conditions, with fluid shifts being the most significant factor influencing thermal balance. Exposure to hot environments posed the greatest risk, as it caused a more pronounced rise in body temperature compared to cold and normal conditions. Predictions in a microgravity environment are compared with available space station experimental data from astronauts, showing strong agreement and confirming the model’s accuracy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 18-38"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143748385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of fluorescence in situ hybridization detection threshold on chromosome aberration counting: a simulation study","authors":"Floriane Poignant ,&nbsp;Janice L. Huff ,&nbsp;Stephen R. Kunkel ,&nbsp;Ianik Plante ,&nbsp;Tony C. Slaba","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.009","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Purpose&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Radiation-induced carcinogenesis remains one of the main hurdles for long duration missions in deep space. The space radiation environment is diverse and includes high linear energy transfer (LET) ions that are particularly effective at inducing adverse health outcomes including cancer. Quantifying the health effects of these high-LET ions is difficult, and large uncertainties remain in cancer risk projections. Chromosome aberrations are a biomarker of radiation-induced cancer used to assess radiation quality effects. Fluorescence &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; hybridization (FISH) measurements of simple and complex exchanges have inherent detection limitations that might underestimate the overall number of chromosomal rearrangements, possibly affecting estimates of the relative biological effectiveness of high-LET ions.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Material and methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;In this work, we introduced a new chromosome aberration classification approach in the simulation code RITCARD (Radiation induced tracks, chromosome aberrations, repair, and damage), that accounts for FISH detection threshold and the use of different chromosome painting probes. We also modified our 3D nuclear architecture model using Hi-C data to generate the DNA distribution within cell nuclei with the tool G-NOME. This new approach allowed the discrimination of true simple and complex exchanges from apparently simple exchanges (complex exchanges detected as simple), as well as undetected exchanges.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;We compared the results of this new classification method in the RITCARD tool with experimental FISH data obtained for the staining of 3 pairs of chromosomes (referred to as 3-FISH), and found an overall good agreement of the total exchanges for fibroblasts (hTERT 82-6) and lymphocytes (whole blood) for high LET ions, a slight underestimation in the low LET range (&lt; ∼ 20 keV/µm), and a slight imbalance between simple and complex exchanges for lymphocytes. The model reproduced well the higher yield of aberrations for lymphocytes, compared to fibroblasts. Remarkably, in our model, this higher yield was solely due to differences in nuclear geometries and repair time between the two cell types, both derived from experimental data. For both cell types, we observed an increased number of complex exchanges detected as simple, and an increased number of undetected simple exchanges for high LET ions when we increased the detection threshold. For lymphocytes, this resulted in an overall increased number of simple exchanges, while, for fibroblasts, simple exchanges remained largely unchanged. Overall, the number of total exchanges decreased with increased detection threshold for both cell types. We also found that, for high LET ions, the majority of detected simple exchanges were true complex exchanges, due to many intra-chromosomal rearrangements that are undetected with traditional FISH technique.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Perspectives&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Our","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 154-168"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143927588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of neutron radiation on pharmaceuticals in deep space-like environments - general anesthesia in space","authors":"Machiko Hatsuda ,&nbsp;Masashi Hasegawa ,&nbsp;Kimiaki Nakamura ,&nbsp;Fumiyuki Yamakura ,&nbsp;Tomohiro Kobayashi ,&nbsp;Takaoki Takanashi ,&nbsp;Yasuo Wakabayashi ,&nbsp;Yoshie Otake ,&nbsp;Toshio Naito ,&nbsp;Hiroyuki Daida","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In deep space environments such as the Moon and Mars, secondary radiation generated by interactions between galactic cosmic rays and spacecraft walls or planetary surfaces presents a significant challenge. In particular, the effects of neutron radiation remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates the impact of neutron radiation on pharmaceuticals, specifically the general anesthetic propofol (2,6-Diisopropylphenol). Neutron irradiation experiments were conducted using the RIKEN Accelerator-driven compact Neutron Source (RANS), employing fast neutrons with energies of 1–5 MeV at doses up to 4 Gy. Analyses employing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), colorimetric assessment, micelle particle size measurement via optical microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detected no discernible alterations in the molecular structure of propofol. Furthermore radiological activation analysis using Geiger-Müller (GM) counters and γ-ray spectral analysis with the germanium detector (Ge) indicated minimal radionuclide generation in the pharmaceutical itself, however significant activation was observed in glass vials. These findings highlight container activation as a critical risk factor in the storage and transportation of pharmaceuticals in space environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 61-73"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sleep deprivation and glymphatic system dysfunction as a risk factor for SANS during long-duration spaceflight","authors":"Joshua M. Venegas,&nbsp;Mark Rosenberg","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A unique constellation of ocular structural changes and visual anomalies known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) affects 70 % of crew members after long-duration spaceflight. Current hypotheses regarding the etiology of SANS discuss cephalad fluid shifts and venous congestion, which are correlated with elevated intra-cranial pressure (ICP) and enlarged perivascular spaces (PVS). These PVS comprise the glymphatic system (GS), a recently discovered network of influx and efflux pathways for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and metabolites in the central nervous system (CNS). Both glymphatic clearance and traditionally understood CSF circulation are affected by sleep-wake cycles, displaying a significant increase in fluid flow during sleep. Natural sleep has been associated with a 60 % increase in interstitial space in animal studies, which likely enhances GS exchange and outflow. Corresponding studies in humans using contrast-enhanced MRI associate sleep with greater glymphatic clearance compared to wakefulness. The sleep problems of astronauts during long-duration spaceflight have been well documented, ranging from sleep disruption and decreased quality to insufficient sleep duration. With recent terrestrial studies providing evidence that sleep deprivation impairs molecular clearance from the human brain, it follows that similar glymphatic dysfunction may arise due to these conditions in astronauts. Thus, in addition to impairing crew member work performance on long-duration space missions, sleep deprivation may exert long-term neuro-ocular effects via decreased glymphatic efficiency and clearance. The adverse impact of the resulting cognitive and visual disturbances presents a major future performance risk to astronauts. This work discusses the existing body of literature regarding the connections between circadian disruption and glymphatic disruption as a potential contributing mechanism for the development of SANS. This association should receive focused attention in future research as a potential risk factor for SANS. In addition, interventions that enhance extraterrestrial sleep quality and duration may prove to be practical countermeasures for the prevention of this syndrome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 39-42"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143748208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changes of iron dynamics in the duodenum and bone marrow under partial gravity condition in mice","authors":"Yasumasa Ikeda ,&nbsp;Masafumi Funamoto ,&nbsp;Mizuho Yamamoto ,&nbsp;Hai Du Ly-Nguyen ,&nbsp;Masaki Imanishi ,&nbsp;Koichiro Tsuchiya","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>With the advancement of the space age, research on physiological changes during long-term space missions has become increasingly important. Spaceflight-induced anemia, along with muscle and bone loss, is a significant concern for astronaut health, potentially disrupting iron metabolism and absorption. However, the mechanisms underlying intestinal iron absorption in space remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study investigated iron dynamics in the duodenum and bone marrow of mice exposed to partial gravity (PG) to assess potential alterations in iron absorption and storage.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using samples provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Kibo mouse sample share), we analyzed duodenal and bone marrow tissues from mice reared in PG (1/6G) and compared them to those of mice reared in ground gravity (control gravity (CG): 1G). We conducted Perls staining to visualize iron distribution, measured iron concentrations, and analyzed iron regulatory proteins (ferritin heavy chain, divalent metal transporter 1, and ferroportin) using qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Iron staining, concentration, and ferritin heavy chain expression in the duodenum were reduced in the PG group compared with those in the CG group. The expression of iron transporters (divalent metal protein 1 and ferroportin) was also attenuated. Furthermore, the PG group showed fewer macrophages and more goblet cells in duodenal villi. Stainability of iron and ferritin heavy chain expression in the sternal bone marrow similarly decreased in the PG group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings indicate reduced iron retention in the duodenum under partial gravity, suggesting that the space environment may impair iron absorption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 10-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143737864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The ocular surface during spaceflight: Post-mission symptom report, extraterrestrial risks, and in-flight therapeutics","authors":"Joshua Ong ,&nbsp;Thomas Mader ,&nbsp;Charles Robert Gibson ,&nbsp;Alex Suh ,&nbsp;Nicholas Panzo ,&nbsp;Hamza Memon ,&nbsp;Ryung Lee ,&nbsp;Benjamin Soares ,&nbsp;Ethan Waisberg ,&nbsp;Ritu Sampige ,&nbsp;Tuan Nguyen ,&nbsp;Cihan Kadipasaoglu ,&nbsp;Yannie Guo ,&nbsp;Kelsey Vineyard ,&nbsp;Mouayad Masalkhi ,&nbsp;Daniela Osteicoechea ,&nbsp;Gianmarco Vizzeri ,&nbsp;Patricia Chévez-Barrios ,&nbsp;John Berdahl ,&nbsp;Donald C. Barker ,&nbsp;Andrew G. Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.05.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.05.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ocular health is critical for overall astronaut health requirements given its essential role for mission performance and safety. The ocular surface is a vital structure to the visual system and is essential for ocular protection and the refraction of light for focused vision. Data from the 2024 NASA Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health identified that Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) astronauts (<em>N</em> = 257) queried during post-flight eye exams reported symptoms of eye irritation (34 %), dry eyes (14 %), and foreign body sensation (21 %). Given these findings, it is critical to understand the risks that the ocular surface faces in the spaceflight environment. This manuscript explores the impact of lunar dust, space radiation, lunar gravity, and microgravity on the astronaut ocular surface. Furthermore, we outline ongoing efforts to minimize associated health risks given our insights into the vision standards, testing procedures, corrective measures, and mitigations designed for the lunar surface and microgravity environments. We further discuss the ophthalmic medications available on space missions to address threats to the ocular surface. We also report personal insights from Dr. Harrison Schmitt, NASA astronaut and Apollo 17 moonwalker, on his experience in space and lunar dust human physiological interactions. Additionally, given the known physiologic changes in microgravity and expectations for partial gravity environments, our review prompted characterization of accelerated aging and gut microbiome on the development of dry eye. We also discuss the potential expansion of ophthalmic imaging capabilities during spaceflight missions and its utility. Addressing these factors is critical to uphold astronauts' ocular health and to ensure the safety of future space missions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 169-186"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From the desk of the editor in chief","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.07.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Page 201"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144633358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Food technologies for space missions","authors":"Janifer Raj Xavier,&nbsp;Om Prakash Chauhan,&nbsp;Sahana Hevlin Shashikumar,&nbsp;Roopa Nagaraj,&nbsp;Anil Dutt Semwal","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Provision of safe and nutritious food for space missions is very critical; failure to provide the appropriate food along with suitable delivery and disposal systems may cause risk and hamper the mission success or crew performance. The major requirements of space-specific foods include lightweight, compact size, quick preparation, ease of consumption, low fragmentation, high acceptability, wholesomeness, stability, variety, gastrointestinal compatibility, and safe food in a convenient form with longer shelf life. Significant developments have taken place in food technologies in the last few decades to attain more appealing and nutritious food. The technologies have gone beyond the normal cooking of foods to modern food processing and packaging technologies which enabled the food materials to remain safe for longer durations without affecting their nutritional and organoleptic attributes. Modern space food technologies have transformed the space food and delivery systems for low orbit crews to those stationed at the International Space Station. Research on the cultivation of fresh vegetables in space under microgravity conditions is also gaining momentum. In general, thermo-stabilized, irradiated, rehydratable, natural and fresh foods are preferred for space missions. These include ready-to-eat foods, beverages, juice powders, high-energy bars, instant mixes, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. These products need to be in strict compliance with the space standards in terms of nutritional and microbiological quality. Certain food delivery systems such as food rehydration stations, water/beverage dispensing assembly, provision of heating/cooling/serving of foods, etc. are also needed in space missions for optimal delivery of food materials. All these technologies are very critical under microgravity conditions for the consumption of food materials by space crews. This review provides an overview of space food history, design criteria, packaging methods, and emerging technologies supporting space mission advancements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 145-153"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}