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India Today
2 days ago
- Science
- India Today
What is Project Cimon? The AI astronaut being tested aboard the Space Station
Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) are getting a futuristic new assistant: an artificial intelligence-powered robot named Cimon — short for Crew Interactive MObile companioN — is a pioneering technology demonstration aimed at making life easier for astronauts during long-duration space astronaut Takuya Onishi was recently spotted prepping Cimon in the Kibo laboratory module, marking the latest stage in a pilot study examining how artificial intelligence can support human crews in As missions become longer and more complex, the demands on astronauts rise, and Project Cimon hopes to ease those is designed to float freely inside the ISS, helping crew members with a range of tasks. One of its key features is hands-free voice control: astronauts can ask Cimon for documents, tutorials, or procedures, keeping both hands free for maintenance or scientific experiments. Astronaut Takuya Onishi preps the CIMON AI robot. (Photo: Nasa) For example, if an astronaut is repairing equipment or running an experiment, Cimon can display step-by-step instructions or videos right in their field of view, making processes smoother and reducing Cimon doubles as a mobile camera, enabling real-time or recorded video documentation of complex scientific procedures. This function streamlines data collection and can be analysed by ground-based teams or reviewed by astronauts training is another area where Cimon shows promise. If a crew member needs a refresher on a procedural skill — such as solving a Rubik's Cube, a benchmark task — Cimon can play video tutorials, respond to voice commands to pause or rewind, and support learning at the astronaut's project's ultimate goal is to reduce workload, facilitate better time management, and decrease stress during challenging missions, freeing up astronauts for rest. Observations from Cimon's deployment will guide the future of AI assistants in both space and terrestrial settings, including education, industrial automation, medicine, and more deep space missions loom on humanity's horizon, AI companions like Cimon may become indispensable crewmates, making the final frontier a little more manageable — and perhaps, more enjoyable.- Ends
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Blood samples to heart scans: How NASA monitors astronaut health aboard the ISS through human research
Image: NASA As humanity prepares for longer missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, NASA is intensifying efforts to understand how spaceflight affects the human body. Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts are undergoing a range of medical tests, from drawing blood and monitoring vital signs to performing heart scans and fitness checks. These studies help NASA assess how microgravity, radiation, and confined environments impact physical health over time. The findings are essential for developing countermeasures to keep astronauts healthy on deep space journeys, while also offering insights for healthcare on Earth. With real-time support from ground-based teams, this research is shaping the future of crewed space exploration. Daily diagnostics: Monitoring astronauts' health in orbit NASA astronauts like Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain are participating in multiple human research studies aboard the ISS. Ayers, along with JAXA Commander Takuya Onishi, collected blood samples for the Immunity Assay, a study examining how spaceflight stress affects cellular immune function. Meanwhile, McClain conducted ultrasound heart scans and measured her blood pressure to track cardiovascular health, helping identify early signs of artery stiffness and blood flow changes linked to microgravity. Additional wearable technology, like the Canadian Space Agency's Bio-Monitor headband and vest, enables continuous monitoring of vital signs during normal daily activities, including exercise and sleep. Data from these devices is transmitted to medical teams on Earth for analysis and follow-up planning. Keeping astronauts and space systems healthy In addition to medical testing, astronauts are also maintaining the critical hardware aboard the space station. Jonny Kim and Onishi inspected life support systems like catalytic reactors and hatch seals to ensure a safe onboard environment. Botanical studies in the Kibo module are exploring how plants grow and divide in microgravity, offering a dual benefit: food production and biological insights. Roscosmos crew members contributed to the research with respiratory diagnostics and treadmill-based fitness evaluations. These health assessments are part of a broader NASA strategy to prepare for long-duration missions where crew autonomy and system reliability are crucial. From heart scans to habitat checks, it is all part of safeguarding the future of spaceflight.
India.com
03-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
Beyond Earthly Meals: Shubhanshu Shukla Reveals The Secrets Of Space Digestion
Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is taking part in important scientific work and educational activities. He recently recorded a special video message for school students in India, where he explained in simple terms how our digestive system adjusts to the unusual conditions of space. In space, the lack of Earth's gravity has a strong effect on how the stomach and intestines work. On Earth, gravity helps move food through the digestive system using a natural process called peristalsis. But in space, without gravity, this movement slows down. As a result, digestion becomes slower and the way the body processes food changes. Peristalsis is the wave-like movement of muscles in the digestive system that pushes food through the stomach and intestines, helping it move and get digested properly inside the body. In space, body fluids move upward toward the chest and head due to the lack of gravity. This shift can affect how the stomach works, sometimes causing discomfort and changing how the body absorbs nutrients from food. In space, microgravity can change the balance of good bacteria in the stomach and intestines, known as the gut microbiome. This affects how food is broken down and how nutrients are taken in by the body. If not managed properly, it can lead to a lack of essential vitamins and minerals. How Astronauts Keep Their Gut Healthy in Space In space, the balance of good bacteria in the stomach can get disturbed, so astronauts follow special steps to stay healthy: Probiotics & Prebiotics – They take supplements with good bacteria (probiotics) and eat food that helps those bacteria grow (prebiotics). Special Diet – Their meals include foods like fiber and fermented items that support gut health and help the body absorb nutrients better. Gut Checks – Scientists regularly test astronauts' gut bacteria and make changes if needed. Exercise – Daily workouts not only keep their muscles strong but also help digestion. Extra Vitamins – Since it's harder to absorb nutrients in space, they take extra vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Before Launch – Astronauts prepare their gut health even before going to space to reduce future problems. These steps help astronauts stay strong during long space missions—even to Mars! On Muscle Atrophy Along with his educational efforts, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is also carrying out important muscle health research inside the Kibo laboratory, a science module on the International Space Station (ISS) built by Japan. Kibo means 'hope' in Japanese and is used for life science, medical, and space experiments. Shubhanshu Shukla is conducting research on muscle stem cells, which are special cells in the body that help repair and build muscles. In space, the absence of gravity means astronauts' muscles aren't used as much as they are on Earth. This lack of activity causes muscles to weaken and shrink—a condition known as muscle atrophy. Shukla's study explores how these stem cells function in microgravity and whether certain supplements or treatments can help maintain muscle strength during long space missions. The findings could also be useful on Earth, especially for people who suffer from muscle loss due to aging or extended periods of immobility. The Life Sciences Glovebox is a special enclosed workspace on the space station that keeps the area clean and free from germs. It allows astronauts to safely handle and study biological samples like cells or tissues in space. Because it's a closed and controlled environment, it helps scientists do detailed studies at the cellular level—even in microgravity—without risk of contamination. What is a Glovebox? A Glovebox is a sealed container with built-in gloves on the outside. Astronauts insert their hands into these gloves to handle samples inside the box without ever touching them directly, keeping both the astronaut and the sample safe. Shubhanshu Shukla's research goes hand in hand with other experiments being done by astronauts on the ISS. These include studies on brain-computer connections and mental health in space, supported by both government and private groups. Along with his scientific work, Shukla is also encouraging young Indian students to take interest in space science and biology. His efforts are helping us learn more about space travel while inspiring the next generation.
India Today
02-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Shubhanshu Shukla to speak with students, explain how digestion system adapts to space
Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), has been actively engaging in pioneering scientific research and educational Shukla filmed an educational video aimed at young Indian students explaining how the human digestive system adapts to the unique environment of microgravity, the absence of Earth's gravitational pull significantly affects the gastrointestinal system. Normally, gravity aids the movement of food through the digestive tract via peristalsis. In space, this process slows down, causing reduced motility and altered Mission Update | Peggy Whitson & Tibor Kapu Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) July 1, 2025advertisement Fluid shifts toward the upper body also impact digestive function, sometimes causing discomfort and changes in nutrient microgravity can alter the gut microbiome, affecting how nutrients are broken down and absorbed, which may lead to nutritional deficiencies if not carefully this educational initiative, Shukla has been conducting critical muscle health research inside the Kibo laboratory's Life Sciences Glovebox aboard the work focuses on muscle stem cell cultures to understand how microgravity causes muscle degradation and how this loss might be prevented or mitigated. Muscle atrophy is a well-known challenge in spaceflight due to the lack of mechanical loading on muscles. Shukla's experiments aim to identify supplements or treatments that could maintain muscle health during long-duration missions, with potential applications for muscle loss conditions on Earth, such as those related to aging or immobility. advertisementThe Life Sciences Glovebox provides a sterile environment for safely handling biological samples in microgravity, enabling detailed cellular studies. Shukla's research complements parallel studies by other astronauts on the ISS, including investigations into brain-computer interfaces and astronaut mental well-being, supported by both public and private his scientific work and outreach, Shubhanshu Shukla is not only advancing human spaceflight knowledge but also inspiring the next generation of Indian students to engage with space science and biology.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Shubhanshu Shukla studies muscle stem cells on ISS, films digestion demo for Indian students
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), conducted a series of scientific experiments on Monday focused on muscle health, digestion in space, and astronaut mental well-being. Shubhanshu Shukla (L) used the Kibo lab's Glovebox on ISS to study muscle stem cells in microgravity and recorded a video on space digestion for Indian students. According to NASA, Shukla worked inside the Kibo laboratory's Life Sciences Glovebox to study how muscle stem cells behave in microgravity. He also recorded an educational video for Indian school students explaining how the human digestive system adapts in space. NASA said, "Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla filmed a video targeted to young Indian students discussing how the digestion system adapts to space. Next, Shukla worked in Kibo's Life Science Glovebox checking muscle stem cell cultures to learn how to maintain muscle health in space." The Life Sciences Glovebox is a sealed and sterile workspace aboard the ISS that allows astronauts to safely handle biological samples in microgravity. It is large enough to allow two astronauts to work together and is used for experiments requiring clean conditions. According to NASA, ISRO's experiment, Myogenesis, investigates how muscle cells regenerate in space. Astronauts tend to lose muscle mass during extended missions, partly due to microgravity disrupting the function of mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for energy production. The study involves testing certain metabolic supplements to see if they can improve muscle repair in microgravity. Results from the research may help in developing treatments for age-related muscle loss or muscle-wasting diseases on Earth, in addition to improving astronaut health during long-duration spaceflights. NASA explained the purpose, saying, "Astronauts lose muscle mass and the ability of muscle cells to regenerate during spaceflight, which may be due to microgravity interfering with metabolism in mitochondria, cell structures that produce energy. The Effect of Metabolic Supplements on Muscle Regeneration Under Microgravity (Myogenesis - ISRO) investigation on the Axiom 4 (Ax-4) private astronaut mission uses muscle stem cell cultures to examine the muscle repair process and test chemicals known to support mitochondrial function. Results could lead to interventions that maintain muscle health during long-term space missions and help people on Earth with muscle-related challenges such as age-related muscle loss and muscle-wasting diseases." Other Ax-4 crew members also contributed to scientific research. Mission Commander Peggy Whitson used the Ultrasound 2 device to perform vein scans on Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, to help understand how space affects blood pressure, balance, and vision. According to NASA, the Ultrasound 2 on the International Space Station (ISS) is a modified commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) ultrasound system that provides high-resolution ultrasound images of target areas in the human body." Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski tested a brain-computer interface using a special headset developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). He later joined Whitson and Shukla in filming content for an astronaut mental health study. NASA stated, "The Thoughts over Gravity, a Test of Using fNIRS-based Brain, Computer Interface in LEO Conditions (PhotonGrav) investigation verifies the effectiveness of near-infrared technology (fNIRS) in low Earth orbit to record brain activity for constructing brain-computer interfaces (BCI) operated in the microgravity environment." Commenting on the crew's schedule, NASA said, "The Ax-4 private astronauts had a science-packed Monday fulfilling research objectives for their home countries." The Ax-4 mission is taking place alongside the activities of the ISS's regular Expedition 73 crew. While Ax-4 focuses on privately funded science, Expedition 73 astronauts continue to work on NASA- and ESA-backed research related to human health and biology in space. NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers conducted muscle stimulation tests using biomedical equipment to examine how muscles react to electrical signals. McClain also completed cognitive tests to study how spaceflight affects brain function. Ayers and fellow astronaut Jonny Kim processed blood samples, including collections from Whitson and Uznanski-Wisniewski, for ESA's Bone on ISS study on space-induced bone loss. JAXA Commander Takuya Onishi collected and stored his own blood and urine samples for long-term health monitoring. He also worked on air quality monitoring inside the Kibo module. Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy trained for the arrival of the "Progress 92" cargo spacecraft and loaded the outgoing "Progress 90" with waste for departure. Another cosmonaut, Kirill Peskov, underwent a 24-hour heart and blood pressure monitoring session and prepared the European robotic arm for upcoming operations. Summarising the week's activities, NASA said, "The seven-member Expedition 73 crew wrapped up a weekend of housecleaning and relaxation, then kicked off Monday with muscle and brain research aboard the International Space Station. Their Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) counterparts worked throughout the weekend and began the week taking a closer look at muscle cells and exploring brain-computer interfaces." On June 26, Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to board the International Space Station. The Ax-4 crew includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, and ESA astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The mission is expected to last up to 14 days. Axiom Mission 4 was launched at noon IST on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. (ANI)
