By Pedro Lacerda
When we think about space exploration, we often imagine rockets, satellites, and distant planets. But behind every mission is a simple fact: humans are fragile. In orbit, on the Moon, or during long journeys, we face risks that go far beyond technical failure. Space affects the body and mind — and keeping humans alive, healthy, and functional in space is one of the biggest challenges for future missions.
This is where space health becomes essential. It’s a field that blends medicine, biology, engineering, and psychology to answer a single question: How can we live and work safely beyond Earth?
Space Health in Portugal: A New Hub
In recent months, Portugal has taken a significant step into this area. The Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) in Lisbon is now working closely with Portugal Space and the European Space Agency (ESA) on health-related challenges in space.
Two key developments stand out:
1. Lisbon to Host Space Biosamples
GIMM has been selected to store biological samples from ESA missions. These might include cells, tissues, or microbes that have been to space — exposed to microgravity and radiation. By storing and analyzing these samples, researchers can learn how the human body responds to spaceflight over time.
This means Portugal will now host part of Europe’s biological “memory” of space, and researchers here will help unlock insights into aging, immunity, metabolism, and more — in space and on Earth.
2. New Research and Business Opportunities
GIMM is also preparing to support new research projects related to space health:
- How do cells behave in microgravity?
- Can we detect early signs of health risks in space?
- How can we design better life support systems using biology?
These questions aren’t just for scientists. They are challenges with entrepreneurial potential.
Opportunities for Space Entrepreneurs
As the space economy expands, health-related solutions will be in demand. Consider the following areas for innovation:
- Telemedicine for remote health monitoring in orbit.
- Wearable health sensors adapted to microgravity environments.
- Biobanking logistics — handling, storing, and transporting space biosamples.
- Radiation protection materials or protocols.
- Psychological support tools for isolated crews.
- Portable lab systems for health diagnostics in space habitats.
Even Earth-based applications could emerge, such as spin-off technologies for hospitals, remote clinics, or extreme environments.
Portugal — with its growing space sector, institutions like GIMM, and a focus on sustainable, human-centered space activity — is well placed to contribute.
Why This Matters for You
If you’re attending the Coimbra Space Summer School, this is an invitation to think creatively.
Space health isn’t just for astronauts. It’s an area where biology, engineering, and business meet — and where startups can make a real impact.
Can you imagine a startup that makes space travel safer? Or a service that helps track biological samples from orbit to lab? These are real opportunities — and they start with people who ask, what does it take to keep humans alive in space?
Come explore the future of life beyond Earth — and the tools we need to survive it.
You might find your next idea starts with a cell floating in microgravity.
Related Links
🇵🇹 Portugal – Research and Innovation in Space Health
- GIMM – Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine
- Portugal Space – National Space Agency
- Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN), Coimbra – Space Incubation and Innovation
- Prof. Edson Oliveira – Space Health Researcher –
- Medicina e Vida no Espaço | Edson Oliveira | TEDxLisboa
🧑⚕️ Medical and Health Initiatives
- Center for Aerospace Medicine Studies (CEMEFA), University of Lisbon
- ICAM 2024 – International Conference on Aerospace Medicine
- Does the Future of Medicine Lie in Space – The Guardian
- Gravitational biology and space medicine
🌍 ESA and International Resources
- ESA Clean Space Initiative
- ESA MELiSSA Foundation – Life Support for Space Missions
- ESA Human and Robotic Exploration Portal
- SpaceMedEU – European Network for Space Medicine (Network connecting ESA member states in space medicine research and training)
