TITUSVILLE, Florida — Astronauts aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, including India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, are taking part in a groundbreaking medical experiment called Suite Ride. This study could transform who qualifies for space travel by potentially enabling insulin-dependent diabetics to fly safely.
Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Clinical Lead for Suite Ride and Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Medical City, shared details in an exclusive interview. He emphasized that current space missions exclude astronauts with diabetes requiring insulin. Suite Ride aims to change that by studying how glucose levels behave in microgravity and whether insulin remains stable in space.
Though none of the Ax-4 crew members have diabetes, they underwent pre-flight tests on Earth to establish glucose baselines. Acting as healthy controls, their data will help validate the accuracy of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in orbit. At least one astronaut will wear a CGM during the mission, with real-time metabolic data sent back to researchers.
In addition, insulin pens were flown—not for use by the crew, but to test how the medication withstands space conditions. Post-mission analysis will examine insulin samples stored at different temperatures to detect any degradation.
“Microgravity allows us to study metabolic functions without interference from gravity, posture, or muscle use,” Dr. Fityan explained. This environment makes it easier to observe how hormones and cells regulate glucose, potentially revealing early insulin resistance signs that are harder to detect on Earth.
If the technology proves reliable, medical protocols for long-duration missions could evolve, possibly allowing insulin-dependent diabetics to become astronauts. Dr. Fityan called this a crucial step toward more inclusive spaceflight.
Beyond space, Suite Ride’s findings could improve glucose monitoring and insulin therapies on Earth, especially in remote or resource-limited areas. The experiment also tests devices such as blood glucose monitors, i-STAT blood analyzers, lancets, and remote data capture systems.
The research team, including physicians, lab experts, and data analysts, is collaborating closely with Axiom Space to ensure data accuracy and practical applications. For India’s Group Captain Shukla, making his first spaceflight, participation in this pioneering study marks a significant contribution to expanding human space exploration.
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