“An astronaut with broken bones?” - why bone healing simulations in space applications can be useful in down- & upstream scenarios
When we first began exploring the use cases of bone healing simulations in a space context, we encountered a consistent set of questions:
- “When and how exactly is an astronaut supposed to break a bone in space?”
- “How can you realistically set up a simulation built for trauma-induced bone fractures on Earth to be relevant for space applications?”
- “There is only a small amount of astronauts. What can you do with the simulation results for applications on earth?”
During our collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) through the ESA BIC BW incubation program we are building a first demonstrator for bone healing simulations in space. We are going to explore and build the value proposition on how OSsistant can be expanded into low-gravity applications.
Problem
Astronauts spending extended periods in low-gravity environments experience significant changes in bone structure and quality. This leads to critical questions:
- How do these changes affect musculoskeletal stability and overall bone health?
- What does a typical healing journey look like for an astronaut who sustains a fracture in space, where conventional healing processes may be altered?
Solution
Our work focuses on simulating bone healing in low-gravity environments by:
- Adapting Healing Parameters: We are incorporating changes in parameters for tissue differentiation processes, informed by observed terrestrial bone fracture cases, to accurately model healing in microgravity.
- Modeling Unique Loading Patterns: Movement in space creates distinct loading patterns on the body. We are adapting weight-bearing scenarios to reflect the “jumpy” movements of astronauts, expecting to gain crucial insights into the mean and peak loadings experienced by bone-implant constructs.
Benefit
Our value proposition rests on two crucial pillars:
- Upstream: What are the most likely causes of bone fractures in space, and what fracture patterns can we expect? How can simulations support both conservative and surgical approaches that are feasible in space? How can training efforts be optimized for astronaut bone health to prevent injuries and facilitate healing post-fracture?
- Downstream: How can experimental data from space simulations drive a better scientific and clinical understanding of bone quality on Earth? The insights gained will be invaluable for patients with osteoporotic bones, impaired mobility, and many other indications, leading to improved care and treatment strategies here on Earth.
At the 45th ISGP Cologne 2026 we will present the first insights in the proof-of-concept we built during the first weeks of our incubation period.