During the SpaceX Fram2 mission in late March 2025, astronauts successfully captured the first medical X-rays in orbit. Using a portable, off-the-shelf system, the crew demonstrated that diagnostic radiography is feasible in space, providing a critical new tool for monitoring astronaut health and mission equipment far beyond Earth.
Fram2 Mission Tests In-Orbit Radiography
The Fram2 mission, which launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on March 31, 2025, achieved a historic milestone in aerospace medicine. Over the course of a 3.5-day polar orbital flight, four amateur astronauts conducted a series of X-ray scans, proving that sophisticated medical imaging can function effectively in microgravity. As reported by Gizmodo, the crew successfully imaged their hands, forearms, abdomens, pelves, and chests, alongside a smartwatch to test resolution capabilities.
The project, findings from which were published in the journal Radiology, sought to overcome the limitations of ultrasound—the primary imaging tool used on the International Space Station for decades. While ultrasound is effective for soft tissue, it requires significant operator training and a medium for sound waves to travel. In contrast, X-rays operate in a vacuum and offer higher diagnostic clarity for bones and hardware.
Portable Technology Survives Spaceflight
A primary concern for the researchers was whether commercial, off-the-shelf hardware could withstand the rigors of launch and re-entry. The team, led by Sheyna Gifford, an assistant professor of aerospace medicine at the Mayo Clinic, utilized a portable digital X-ray generator.
“We believed an off-the-shelf portable system would stand a very good chance of surviving pre-launch testing and be operational in space by crew members with minimal training.”
Sheyna Gifford, Mayo Clinic
Before the flight, the crew members—none of whom were medical professionals—received four hours of operator training. Following the mission’s splashdown off the coast of Oceanside, California, on April 4, 2025, independent radiologists evaluated the in-flight images against pre-flight and post-flight scans. Their assessment confirmed that the in-flight images reached a diagnostic level sufficient for identifying injuries like broken bones.
Expanding Diagnostic Capabilities for Future Missions
The success of the Fram2 experiment carries implications for the future of long-duration space travel, including potential lunar outposts. Beyond human health, the ability to perform in-orbit radiography allows for the inspection of critical mission hardware. Sheyna Gifford noted that the technology could be used to identify stress fractures in tools, holes in spacesuit gloves, or even to analyze mineral content in lunar samples.
The utility of this portable technology is not limited to space. The same machines are already deployed in low-resource settings on Earth, such as at major sporting events or in rural villages lacking proximity to large hospitals. Researchers hope that future iterations of these systems will be even smaller and more rugged, facilitating their inclusion on upcoming deep-space missions.
“Portable X-ray machines are in use everywhere — at the Kentucky Derby, on the sidelines of the Super Bowl and around the globe in low-resource areas — because they can run on solar power and can be operated by individuals with no medical expertise.”
Sheyna Gifford, Mayo Clinic
While the initial test was successful, crew feedback suggested future designs should prioritize easier clamping mechanisms to secure the device within the cabin.
Find more reporting in our Tech section.
Worth a look
