Astronauts Perform First Diagnostic-Quality X-Rays in Space During Fram2 Mission
For the first time in space exploration history, astronauts successfully conducted X-ray imaging of the human body outside Earth, achieving diagnostic quality comparable to ground-based scans. This milestone was reported in a new study published in the scientific journal Radiology. The X-rays were taken during the private Fram2 mission, launched on March 31, 2025, aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, which lasted several days and was the first to pass over Earth's polar regions.
The four crew members, pilot Rabia Rog, commander Chun Wang, vehicle commander Janika Mikkelsen, and medical officer Eric Phillips, operated an ultra-portable X-ray system as part of the SpaceXray project. They captured images of hands, forearms, abdomen, and pelvis while in orbit. A symbolic moment occurred when commander Chun Wang shared an X-ray of his hand wearing a ring, echoing Wilhelm Röntgen's historic 1895 X-ray image.
The scientific analysis compared images taken before launch, during the spaceflight, and after return, confirming that X-rays taken in microgravity meet full medical standards. This breakthrough means accurate medical diagnoses can be made far from Earth, expanding beyond the ultrasound imaging currently used by astronauts. The project identified over 60 medical conditions where X-rays could be critical, including fractures, dental injuries, and internal issues.
NASA is concurrently developing portable X-ray systems for the International Space Station, aiming to deploy operational units by 2026 or early 2027. Beyond medicine, the experiment demonstrated non-destructive testing of spacecraft components, enabling structural fault detection without disassembly, vital for long-duration missions where Earth return is not feasible.
As humanity advances toward crewed missions to the Moon and Mars, this development marks a significant step toward ensuring autonomous medical care in space. The project team stated, "We have proven that X-ray imaging is possible beyond Earth, establishing a crucial foundation for astronaut health in the future."
