X-rays taken in space for the first time: Why this could save astronauts' lives on the Moon

For the first time in human history, full-fledged X-ray images have been taken aboard a spacecraft. The experiment, conducted during the private Fram2 mission in March 2025, opens up new possibilities for medical diagnostics in space, reports Space.com.

How the experiment went

Four first-time astronauts, who had only four hours of training, successfully took X-ray images of their wrists, abdomen, pelvis, chest, and even smartwatches in orbit. A portable X-ray machine was used for this purpose. The images were recorded in digital format, allowing immediate assessment of their quality.

Comparison with ground-based images showed that the quality of the space images was somewhat lower, but quite sufficient for diagnosing fractures and other injuries.

Why this matters

Until now, only ultrasound devices had been used for medical diagnostics in space. X-ray images are significantly more informative, especially when fractures or internal injuries are suspected. With the development of the Artemis program and plans to establish a permanent base on the Moon, the risk of injuries to astronauts increases, and the ability to conduct rapid diagnostics becomes critically important.

Shayna Gifford, a physician and associate professor of aerospace medicine at the Mayo Clinic, noted that they believed the portable system would withstand pre-launch tests and function in space with minimal crew training.

Applications of the technology

X-ray machines in space could be used not only for diagnosing astronauts' health. They could help check the condition of electronics, spacesuits, and equipment. In the future, such devices could be mounted on lunar rovers for surface analysis.

Furthermore, portable X-ray systems could revolutionize medicine on Earth. They would be particularly useful in remote areas, disaster zones, and for rescue teams where access to large hospitals is unavailable.

What's next

The next step is to make the devices even more compact, robust, and user-friendly. Scientists hope such devices will become standard equipment for future lunar missions.

In brief

During the private Fram2 mission in 2025, astronauts took X-ray images in space for the first time in history. A portable device successfully passed the tests and demonstrated sufficient quality for diagnosing injuries. This discovery is important for future Artemis lunar missions, where the risk of injury increases. The technology could also significantly improve medical care in hard-to-reach areas on Earth. The results were published in the journal Radiology.