NASA’s Lunar Gateway Astronauts to Wear AI-Enhanced Smart Undershirts for Health Monitoring

In a leap towards futuristic healthcare in space, NASA astronauts will soon sport smart undershirts equipped with AI to monitor their health on the upcoming Lunar Gateway station.

This innovative gear, known as Astroskin, will be redesigned by Canadian firm Hexoskin to withstand the harsh conditions of deep space, a stark contrast to its previous trials on the International Space Station (ISS).

These smart garments are made from elastane, a stretchy fabric, and are embedded with six sensors that constantly check vital health metrics like heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, skin temperature, activity levels, and breathing rates.

The data collected is then analyzed by AI algorithms to spot any unusual patterns or health concerns, providing real-time insights into the astronaut’s well-being.

Hexoskin’s co-founder and CEO, Pierre-Alexandre Fournier, explained the unique challenges of adapting this technology for the moon’s orbit, about 1,000 times farther from Earth than the ISS.

The primary concerns are the high radiation levels and the limitations on cargo and communication.

Radiation-resistant components are crucial as astronauts could face up to ten times more exposure than on the ISS, potentially impacting their health and the device’s functionality.

The CSA (Canadian Space Agency) has highlighted the undershirt’s ability to integrate seamlessly into daily routines during lunar missions, simplifying the process of monitoring astronaut health under these extreme conditions.

According to Fournier, the goal is not only to refine the product for space but also to enhance its processing capabilities and overall functionality.

The development of Astroskin is part of a broader effort by Hexoskin, which has been at the forefront of AI-driven healthcare since 2009.

Initially aimed at aiding those on Earth with chronic conditions, the technology has also proven invaluable in other high-stress professions such as first responders and pilots.

Now, its application in space stands to revolutionize how health is managed during missions, with plans to deploy these shirts as early as 2028 or 2029 aboard the Artemis 4 mission.

Construction of the Lunar Gateway is set to commence in 2027 with the launch of its initial modules by a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration.

As Fournier puts it, the engineering challenges of space not only advance product design but also bring benefits back to Earth, enhancing Hexoskin’s offerings to clients worldwide.