According to Khaleej Times, A groundbreaking new research mission has launched from the UAE, one that could redefine the boundaries of human spaceflight and global healthcare.
As part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which lifted off today from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, Burjeel Holdings, a leading healthcare provider based in Abu Dhabi, has launched a pioneering initiative called “Suite Ride.” Developed in collaboration with Axiom Space, the project aims to open space travel to individuals living with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) a group traditionally excluded from space missions due to the medical complexities of insulin management in orbit.
Now en route to the International Space Station (ISS), the four-member Ax-4 crew will spend 14 days conducting critical microgravity research. Among the standout studies is Suite Ride, a mission designed to evaluate how Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) function in space and how insulin behaves in microgravity, including its potency and stability during space travel.
This research could lay the groundwork for astronauts with diabetes to one day participate in long-duration space missions. It also holds promise for improving how care is delivered to patients in remote or underserved areas on Earth.
“Too often, a diagnosis like diabetes quietly tells people that there are limits now and that certain paths may no longer be open. Over time, this changes how people see themselves and how others see them. Through this collaboration, we want to challenge that thinking and there is no better place to do it than space, the highest frontier we can reach,” said Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings.
At its core, Suite Ride focuses on the performance of CGMs, devices widely used on Earth for real-time glucose tracking. The project will study their reliability in microgravity and investigate how insulin responds to the unique conditions of space.
“After months of preparation, we’re excited to see our research project take flight aboard Ax-4. We’re confident that the valuable insights gained will help improve healthcare access in underserved and hard-to-reach communities around the world, including in the MENA region,” said Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Medical City and Clinical Lead for the Burjeel — Ax-4 Space Health Research.
His team will work closely with Axiom’s experts to analyse data that could influence not only future space medicine protocols but also enhance diabetes management for millions on Earth.
With diabetes cases projected to reach 783 million globally by 2045 an 87% surge expected in the MENA region, Suite Ride stands as a beacon of innovation, inclusion, and hope.
Commanded by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, the Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland (ESA), and Hungary. The diversity of this team reflects the global nature of scientific discovery and the shared human aspiration to overcome boundaries, both physical and medical.
At STS 2025, we’ll be diving deeper into the intersection of space exploration, health innovation, and inclusivity. As global thought leaders, space agencies, and innovators gather to shape the future of space travel, projects like Suite Ride will serve as powerful case studies of how space can drive positive change back on Earth.
Space is not just the next frontier — it’s the new proving ground for human progress. Join us at Space Travel Summit on 08 – 09 of December 2025 at the Connect Conference Expo City, Dubai to be part of that future.
Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/space/research-diabetes-astronauts-axiom-4-mission?_refresh=true
