A groundbreaking study conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during the Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4) suggests that astronauts with diabetes could soon participate in space travel, thanks to the reliable performance of common diabetes management tools in microgravity. The Suite Ride experiment, led by UAE-based Burjeel Holdings, demonstrated that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pens can enable comprehensive, real-time diabetes monitoring from orbit to Earth, potentially broadening the pool of eligible candidates for future missions.

The findings were unveiled at the Burjeel Institute for Global Health in New York, attended by Burjeel founder Shamsheer Vayalil and Axiom Space CEO Tejpaul Bhatia.

The 18-day Ax-4 mission, from June 25 to July 15, featured Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three crewmates conducting over 60 microgravity experiments. Envisioned by Vayalil, Suite Ride tested diabetes tools in space's harsh environment—extreme temperatures, radiation, and weightlessness—where traditional medical devices might falter.

Preliminary results show CGMs, small wearables that track blood sugar levels continuously, maintain Earth-like accuracy, allowing seamless data transmission to ground control. Insulin pens, flown to the ISS for the first time, are now under post-flight analysis to confirm the stability of their formulations. These advancements mark several milestones: the inaugural CGM use on the ISS, the first insulin pens in orbit, and multi-method glucose validation in space.

Diabetes, a chronic condition affecting insulin production or use, has historically disqualified individuals from astronaut selection due to risks of unstable blood sugar in isolated environments. With over 77 million adults in India alone battling type 2 diabetes—plus 25 million pre-diabetics, per World Health Organisation estimates—these findings extend beyond space.

They promise enhanced remote healthcare models for terrestrial applications, such as offshore oil rigs or rural clinics, where real-time monitoring could prevent complications. Building on last year's Galactic-07 mission, which proved insulin pens dispense accurately in microgravity per ISO standards, Suite Ride reinforces the viability of commercial devices for space and Earth-based care.

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Shukla's involvement highlights India's growing role in private space ventures, following his selection for Ax-4 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in a NASA partnership. Vayalil emphasised the dual impact: "We are proud to contribute to a future where space exploration and healthcare breakthroughs serve not just astronauts but millions on Earth."

Axiom Space's Gavin D'Elia echoed this, stating, "This isn't just about space exploration. It's about inspiring people everywhere... advancing the potential to fly the first astronaut with diabetes." As private missions like Ax-4 proliferate, such research could democratise space access, fostering innovations that address global health challenges while propelling humanity's cosmic ambitions.

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