Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutyrk is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida on October 1, carrying innovative Canadian technology. Space living poses health risks due to the human body’s limitations in low gravity, including potential blood clot formation. To address this concern, NASA has collaborated with the CSA to quantify the risk and ensure astronaut safety in space.
Vancouver-based Response Biomedical has developed cutting-edge technology for NASA, including a device that detects the D-dimer protein fragment in blood, an indicator of clotting. The device, known as Acute Care Testing in Space (ACTIS), is based on the company’s RAMP technology and offers quick and efficient blood testing for various conditions like blood clots, heart attacks, and infectious diseases.
This portable testing device, capable of delivering results within minutes, is not only crucial for space missions but also beneficial for remote communities on Earth where timely and accurate testing is essential. The potential success of ACTIS in space could pave the way for its utilization in further human space exploration missions beyond the International Space Station, showcasing Canada’s technological prowess and contribution to innovative endeavors.