Axiom mission can prove to be important for diabetes patients; Know what astronauts will study in space

The Axiom-4 mission, taking Indian astronaut ShubhanshuShukla to the International Space Station (ISS), provides hope that space travel would not be out of bounds for diabetes patients. Axiom-4: Astronauts will examine how glucose acts in microgravity/low gravity.

Insulin-dependent diabetics are currently banned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from traveling in space. Non-insulin dependent diabetes is not an official disqualifier, but no diabetic astronaut has traveled in space so far.

Under the 'Suit Ride' experiment by UAE healthcare provider Burjeel Holdings and Axiom Space, astronauts on the Axiom mission will wear glucose monitors during their 14-day space journey. Studying the behaviour of glucose and insulin in microgravity will help scientists develop wearable technologies for astronauts and patients who are bedridden due to diseases such as paralysis.

"We are trying to see if there is any change or fluctuation in blood sugar levels while being in space," said Mohammed Fityan, chief medical officer of Burjeel Holdings, Abu Dhabi. The astronauts will also carry insulin pens that will be kept at different temperatures to test how the molecules react to microgravity conditions.

This research can help improve care for diabetes patients in remote areas and tele-health services. It is worth noting that under the Axiom-4 mission, Gaganyaat Shubhanshu Shukla will travel to ISS with three other astronauts on SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket.

The astronauts accompanying Shubhanshu include Slavosz Ujnanski-Wisniewski from Poland, Tibor Kapu from Hungary, and mission commander American astronaut Peggy Whitson.