Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are testing artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies to support medical diagnostics in space, part of efforts to reduce reliance on ground-based assistance during future deep-space missions.

During the experiment, NASA flight engineer Jack Hathaway and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot used the EchoFinder-2 biomedical device to perform ultrasound scans on each other inside the station’s Columbus laboratory module.

The scans, guided by augmented reality, captured images of abdominal and vascular systems. Artificial intelligence then analyzed the ultrasound data and confirmed the identification of organs.

Researchers say the study aims to help astronauts conduct medical procedures independently during long-duration missions, where communication delays with Earth could limit real-time support from ground-based doctors.

The technology is being evaluated as part of broader research into autonomous healthcare capabilities for crews traveling farther from Earth, including potential missions to the Moon and Mars.