Space-Based Medicine: A Sociological Perspective on Opportunities and Challenges for Future Health

Space-based medicine (SBM), originally developed to protect astronauts from the effects of microgravity, radiation, and isolation, integrates physiology, biotechnology, and engineering. The physiological changes observed in space (bone and muscle loss, cardiovascular dysfunction, immunosuppression) have provided models for studying aging and degenerative diseases. Research in microgravity has opened prospects for regenerative medicine, pharmaceutical development, and spin-offs related to telemedicine and biosensors with terrestrial applications. Despite its social relevance, the field remains unexplored by the social sciences. This paper adopts a multidimensional sociological perspective by analyzing SBM as: (1) a total institution (Goffman) that disciplines bodies and relationships; (2) a biopower device (Foucault); (3) a socio-technical assemblage (Latour); (4) a producer of biological citizenship (Rose); (5) a paradigmatic example of the risk society (Beck, Luhmann). This paper integrates medical-scientific analysis and sociological theory in a still unexplored field. It also raises new governance and ethics issues.