The FRAM2 crew is back from space! The spacecraft successfully splashed down shortly after noon EST this Friday, April 4th, 2025.
In a post on X shortly after midnight EST this Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Fram2 Mission Commander Chun Wang shared the first medical X-ray image taken in space. Featuring a hand with a ring, it mirrors the first ever X-ray image accidentally captured over a century ago by Wilhelm Roentgen.
The X-rays are part of the SpaceXray project, one of the 22 scientific studies selected to be part of Fram2, the first polar-orbit human spaceflight mission designed to explore the polar regions of Earth.
The pioneering research initiative aims to validate the feasibility of acquiring high-quality diagnostic radiographs in microgravity, a crucial step toward ensuring astronaut health on deep-space missions.
The first image released has been widely celebrated among the SpaceXray team.
“We’re grateful to the crew and immensely proud that life in space will be safer and better because of this technology. Let’s make life on Earth better because of it, too,” said Sheyna Gifford, Principal Investigator of the study.
“We are incredibly excited and honored to be a part of this historic first! Proving it is possible to provide medical X-ray imaging capabilities beyond our gravitational boundaries opens doors for this technology to be used anywhere there is a need,” said Jeanne Walter, Vice President, Marketing and Sales of MinXray.
“The first X-ray in space is an incredible achievement, one that pushes the boundaries of medical imaging and human exploration, and its impact goes beyond space,” said Karim S. Karim, CTO of KA Imaging.
“The same technology that enables astronauts to monitor their health can also revolutionize imaging in remote and underserved areas on Earth. Advancing science in space should always mean progress for all of humanity,” said Amol Karnick, president and CEO of KA Imaging.
About the SpaceXray project
By collaborating with top academic institutions, private companies, and technology innovators across North America, SpaceXray is laying the foundation for future space medicine and in-flight equipment diagnostics. These advancements are key to astronaut safety and mission success in long-duration space travel.
This study will evaluate image quality, contrast, and spatial resolution while focusing on bone mineral density measurements—critical for monitoring the effects of microgravity on astronaut bone health. Beyond medical imaging, the project also explores the use of X-rays for non-invasive hardware diagnostics, enabling in-flight troubleshooting of potential system failures.
Mayo is one of the academic institutions collaborating on the SpaceXray project, alongside independent researchers contributing their expertise.
Chicago-based MinXray is contributing its IMPACT system, a compact, battery-powered X-ray generator designed for use in remote environments, including space. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery eliminates the need for external power sources, making it an ideal solution for microgravity applications.
KA Imaging’s Reveal 35C X-ray Detector was selected for this mission due to its cutting-edge SpectralDR technology. The Reveal 35C provides dual-energy subtraction imaging in a single exposure, generating three distinct images: soft tissue, bone, and a traditional digital radiograph.
About KA Imaging:
A spin-off from the University of Waterloo, KA Imaging specializes in innovative X-ray imaging technologies and systems. Powered by patented SpectralDR technology, the company’s healthcare product line includes retrofit solutions and mobile systems with single exposure dual-energy subtraction, enhancing visualization of line and tube ends, retained surgical objects, pneumothorax, bedside pneumonia, cardiac calcium, and more. KA Imaging aims to improve image quality and achieve bone/tissue differentiation in mobile systems while maintaining the ease and simplicity of X-ray.
About MinXray:
Since 1967, MinXray, Inc. has been the leader in portable diagnostic X-ray imaging. The devices, available as complete portable systems, can be used in multiple applications where it is more efficient to bring the X-ray unit to the patient instead of the patient to the X-ray unit. MinXray products are used in a variety of medical, veterinary, and military applications. MinXray’s powerful, high frequency, lightweight portable units continue to be the “gold standard” for digital radiographic imaging.
About the mission:
Fram2 is the first polar-orbit human spaceflight mission designed to explore the polar regions of Earth in an entirely new way. It is named after the Fram ship, which was built in the 1800s and helped explorers first reach the Earth’s polar regions. Fram is Norwegian for “Forward” and was the name of the legendary ship designed to function in the icy polar waters used by some of the first crews to explore the Arctic in the late 1800s. The Fram2 crew consists of Mission Commander Chun Wang, Vehicle Commander Jannicke Mikkelsen, Mission Pilot Rabea Rogge, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Eric Philips. Each crewmember has significant experience exploring and capturing the polar regions and brings a unique expertise and perspective to support Fram2.
Fram2 has two main goals: to be the first crew to view and capture the Earth’s polar regions from low-Earth orbit and conduct research to help advance humanity’s capabilities for long-range space exploration. The 3-5 day mission will take place on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket March 31. Follow the mission on social media via X (framonauts) and visit F2.com for updates.