Advancements in Space Health from Ontario Tech University
As NASA’s Artemis II mission progresses, experts at Ontario Tech University are significantly contributing to the technology required for future human exploration of the Moon and beyond.
Dr. Carolyn McGregor, a leading figure in Artificial Intelligence for Health and Wellness at Ontario Tech, is at the forefront of enhancing astronaut care during extended space missions. Collaborating with industry partner CGI, she co-leads one of five teams that received $2 million from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to create a Connected Care Medical Module (C²M²). This innovative prototype, named Harmony, functions as a medical ‘health pod’ providing AI-driven healthcare for long-term lunar missions, where astronauts will be far from immediate medical assistance.
Additionally, Dr. McGregor, who serves as a Professor and Dean at Ontario Tech’s Faculty of Business and Information Technology, directs the CSA-funded Space Health study aboard the International Space Station. Astronauts use Canada’s Bio-Monitor smart garments to collect health data before, during, and after their flights. This information is analyzed with an AI system called Artemis, which monitors cardiovascular and physiological changes in space, aiming to enhance healthcare solutions on Earth in various challenging environments, including hospitals.
The collaboration between Ontario Tech University and the CSA highlights the role of research and innovation in ensuring the health and safety of astronauts during their journeys into space.
