SpaceX seeks proposals to research human survival and productivity in space

The astronautics company seeks proposals to study human adaptation in space to enhance health during long missions.
By Jessica Hagen
02:02 pm
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Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Elon Musk's SpaceX has announced a call for proposals from companies to study how the human body adapts to space, with a focus on enhancing health and wellbeing during long-duration missions.

"SpaceX is looking for exceptional science and research ideas that will enable life in space and on other planets. Research proposals submitted to SpaceX will be reviewed and evaluated based on mission objectives, scientific and technical merit, and feasibility," the company said in a statement. 

The company seeks exploration-focused research in areas such as expanding medical capabilities, developing efficient exercise and fitness solutions, and leveraging virtual or augmented reality as a multipurpose tool.

The research aims to ultimately reduce in-flight health risks by understanding space travel's mental and physical impacts while aboard an orbiting spacecraft and advancing medical care with just-in-time training and tools. 

The company also seeks to examine the use of virtual and augmented reality to explore how the digital realm can improve mental wellbeing, physical fitness and training. 

SpaceX is also seeking proposals for "Autonomous or crew-facilitated payloads designed for integration aboard future human spaceflight or cargo missions."

Proposals must be submitted by March 15, with selected research potentially launching as early as late 2025.

THE LARGER TREND

During his inauguration speech last week, President Trump emphasized his goal to enhance space exploration, declaring, "[The U.S.] will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars."

As space exploration increases, health and safety concerns have become more prevalent.

Organizations like the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) at Baylor College of Medicine are studying space health and partnering with companies to evaluate how those findings can, in turn, be used to improve human health on Earth. 

In 2021, TRISH launched EXPAND (Enhancing eXploration Platforms and Analog Definition). The research platform collects data from flights and keeps it in a centralized database to improve the health of astronauts and find innovations for use on Earth.

In 2022, SpaceX's 5th Commercial Crew mission began a six-month venture into space-based research. The Crew-5 astronauts brought multiple research investigations sponsored by the ISS National Lab to the ISS, where the astronauts would support hundreds of research and technology development investigations.

In 2023, Crew-7 astronauts launched to the ISS to research reversing immune system aging.

Last year, NASA's Crew-9 launched to the ISS to perform research, including a student-led project designed to investigate the effects of radiation and the space environment on gene-editing mechanisms.

Earlier this month, research conducted on the ISS returned to Earth. Results might lead to early cancer detection, advanced treatments for neurodegenerative conditions and improved respiratory therapies.

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft contained nearly 50 biotechnology, physical science and student research payloads sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory.

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