Shubhanshu Shukla's space research could transform diabetes care on Earth

Time of India

7 hours ago

Indian astronaut
Shubhanshu Shukla
is currently aboard the International Space Station, having launched on June 25, 2025, as part of the
Axiom Mission 4
(Ax-4). He is involved in pioneering research aimed at transforming how diabetes is monitored and managed in space. In collaboration with Axiom Space and Burjeel Holdings, the experiment focuses on testing
Continuous Glucose Monitors
(CGMs) and insulin technologies in microgravity. Known as the "Suite Ride" project, this study could pave the way for safer space travel for people with diabetes and also bring new solutions to
diabetes care
on Earth, especially in remote or underserved areas. With global diabetes cases on the rise, the mission holds promise for both
space medicine
and everyday healthcare.
What the 'Suite Ride' project of Axiom-4 is doing in space
The
Suite Ride project
is testing the use of CGMs, devices that track blood glucose levels in real time, during spaceflight. One or more astronauts on the Ax-4 mission are wearing CGMs for the full two-week duration. The devices are sending data back to Earth to evaluate their accuracy and stability in microgravity.
Insulin pens were also sent to the International Space Station, although the astronauts are not using them. The goal is to see how well insulin maintains its potency in space. Blood samples are being collected and analyzed with specialized equipment, all provided by Burjeel Holdings, to compare results and validate the technology.
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Why microgravity offers a unique research opportunity
Microgravity creates a different physiological environment, allowing scientists to study the human body in ways that are not possible on Earth. Changes in fluid distribution, muscle mass, and sleep cycles may influence how the body regulates blood sugar and responds to insulin. This could help researchers identify new markers of insulin resistance and understand diabetes at a deeper level.
The research also builds on previous findings from missions like Galactic 07, which showed that commercial insulin pens can function in space within international medical standards.
How this could change lives on Earth
While the long-term goal is to make it possible for astronauts with diabetes to join space missions safely, the benefits of this research are equally valuable on Earth. If CGMs and insulin storage solutions can work reliably in space, they can be adapted for use in harsh or remote locations such as deserts, oil platforms, and rural clinics.
Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Holdings, explained that space serves as a testing ground for technologies that could enhance healthcare delivery in low-access regions. With diabetes rising rapidly in areas like the MENA region, where it is expected to increase by 87 percent by 2045, there is a growing need for innovation.
What comes next in the research timeline
After the mission concludes, researchers will study the collected data to assess how CGMs and insulin performed under space conditions. If the findings are promising, future missions may include astronauts with non-insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes, followed by those with insulin-dependent diabetes.
Dr. Mike Harrison from Axiom Space said this mission is not just about scientific progress in orbit. It is about improving healthcare access on Earth and making space more inclusive for people with chronic conditions.
The success of this project could help rewrite the rules of both diabetes care and human spaceflight, bringing us closer to a world where health challenges no longer limit the possibilities of exploration.