Pioneering Diabetes Care in Space and on Earth
Burjeel Holdings and Axiom Space: Empowering Health Innovation from Orbit.
A groundbreaking mission focused on diabetes management in microgravity – marking a significant step towards advancing medical innovation for both space exploration and enhancing healthcare on Earth
The Suite Ride Initiative: A Historic First
First collaboration between Burjeel Holdings PLC and Axiom Space
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching crew aboard Dragon spacecraft from Florida
Burjeel Holdings representatives have visited Axiom Space in Houston for mission planning
Part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) scheduled for launch no earlier than May 2025
Up to 14-day mission docked to the International Space Station (ISS)
The Mission: Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
- Commander Peggy Whitson (U.S.) – leading research on orbit, commanding her second commercial spaceflight
- Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – India’s second national astronaut since 1984
- Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (ESA/Poland) – ESA project astronaut, second Polish astronaut since 1978
- Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – second Hungarian astronaut since 1980
Most Research-Intensive Mission to Date
60 scientific studies and activities – the most on any Axiom Space mission to the ISS
31 countries represented including U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe
First time India, Poland, and Hungary execute a mission aboard the ISS
“Realizes the return” to human spaceflight for these nations after more than 40 years
The Science: Diabetes Management in Microgravity
Breaking New Ground in Space Medicine
Continuous Glucose Monitors
- Testing accuracy of standard diabetes monitoring devices in microgravity
- Real-time data collection to support astronauts with insulin-dependent diabetes
- Best-in-class glucose monitors used globally in hospitals and clinics
Insulin Stability Research
- Examining insulin exposure in microgravity
- Assessing drug product potency and stability upon return to Earth
- Building on successful Galactic 07 technical demonstration
Comprehensive Protocol
- Pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight validation protocols
- Study of microgravity effects on glucose levels and insulin quality
- Testing during circadian rhythm disruption conditions
Historic Significance: Enabling Access to Space for All
This research aims to dismantle long-standing barriers, making spaceflight a possibility for individuals with managed diabetes.
Breaking Space Medicine Barriers
- Insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) historically disqualifying for spaceflight
- Multi-tiered approach to demonstrate safe monitoring and treatment of astronauts with IDDM
- Goal: Enable astronauts with IDDM to participate in off-planet missions
- Milestone: Research will allow Axiom to fly the first astronaut with diabetes
- Next Step: Flying diabetic astronaut on upcoming Ax-5 women’s health mission
Progressive Approach
- Successful glucose monitoring demonstration on individuals without diabetes
- Opening door to flying astronauts with non-insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes
- Proving people with diabetes can thrive in space
- Future studies planned for eventual IDDM astronaut flight
Earth Impact: Transforming Global Healthcare
The innovations pioneered for astronauts in orbit hold the key to revolutionary healthcare advancements on Earth.
Remote Healthcare Innovation
- Same technology astronauts use in orbit applied to terrestrial healthcare
- Service for diabetic oil rig workers at sea
- Remote care for patients with chronic conditions living outside traditional clinics
- ISS as ultimate showcase for serving remote workers in extreme environments
Global Health Crisis Context
783M
Projected diabetes cases by 2045
46%
Global increase
87%
MENA region increase
Comprehensive Research Portfolio Beyond Diabetes
Ax-4 encompasses 60 scientific studies across diverse disciplines, driven by international collaboration.
Axiom Space-Led Research
- Human Health and Performance: Neuroimaging study using high field MRI investigating microgravity impact on brain and cognitive risks; Body representation and neural vascular physiology research; Blood-brain barrier investigations; Physiological and psychological data collection for human space adaptation; Partnership with Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH).
- Medical Research: Joint and blood flow effects during short spaceflights; Ultrasound evaluations of lower extremity joints; Cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and joint fluid assessments; Cancer growth research focusing on triple negative breast cancer; Blood stem cell effects during spaceflight; Pharmacogenomic and personalized medicine capabilities.
- Technology and Monitoring: Astronaut ‘readiness’ assessment using wearable devices; Infrastructure development for real-time data processing.
ISRO-Led Research (India)
- Biological and Agricultural Studies: Computer screen impact on physical and cognitive performance in microgravity; Pointing tasks, gaze fixation, and eye movement studies; Microalgae strains growth, metabolism, and genetics research; Cyanobacteria strains comparison for spacecraft life support systems; Crop seed varieties and spaceflight impacts; Germination, microgreen production, and leaf development studies.
- Extreme Environment Research: Tardigrades revival, survival, and reproduction in space; Molecular mechanisms of resilience in extreme environments; Skeletal muscle dysfunction pathways and therapeutic strategies.
ESA/Poland Research Portfolio
- Human Health Monitoring: Mental and behavioral health studies on ISS; Bone loss monitoring and recovery prediction; Neurofeedback for stress reduction and performance enhancement; Gut microbiome changes and immune cell adaptation; Muscle electrical stimulation for mass protection.
- Technology and Innovation: Human-computer interface development using brain imaging; Pharmaceutical shelf-life extension methods; Acoustic monitoring for noise level capture; Data Processing Unit for remote computational algorithm testing; Space radiation monitoring in Columbus module; Wearable biomonitor device assessment; Red microalgae and tardigrade gene research.
HUNOR Program (Hungary)
- Comprehensive Health Studies: Human bacterial, viral, and fungal microbiome effects; Cognitive function and motor skills in microgravity; VR headset applications and neural activity monitoring; Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) research; Nanofibrous eye inserts demonstration.
- Advanced Technology Research: Low-melting point metal behavior for ion-jet propulsion; Personal dosimetry for radiation exposure monitoring; Atmospheric dynamics simulation using spinning water spheres; Radiation-induced DNA damage research using fruit flies; Plant germination and development studies; Microfluidic drug testing chips evaluation; Voice analysis for psychological state assessment; Associative learning and visual processing research; Cardiovascular and balancing systems changes; Cerebral blood flow adaptation studies; Clothing heat transfer simulation validation; Inertial sensor position tracking; 3D printed materials spaceflight effects; Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) atmospheric research.
Medical Leadership and Expertise
Decades of combined clinical excellence from leaders at Burjeel Holdings and Axiom Space.
Dr. Mohammad Fityan
Chief Medical Officer, Burjeel Medical City, DIO, Consultant in Internal Medicine & Obesity Medicine.
- Leading partnership efforts with decades of clinical experience
- Vision: Space as a proving ground for global healthcare innovation
- Focus on benefiting underserved communities, especially in MENA region
Dr. Mike Harrison
Medical Lead, Axiom Space
- Leading Axiom’s medical research initiatives
- Decades of experience in clinical and remote care
- Supporting comprehensive research protocols
Commander Peggy Whitson
Astronaut, Axiom Space
- Leading diabetes research operations in orbit
- Record holder for longest cumulative time in space by American astronaut
- Commanding second commercial human spaceflight mission
Partnership Ecosystem
A global network of leading organizations collaborating to advance space exploration and medical research.
Primary Partners
Primary Partners
Research and Academic Institutions
