June 25, 2025 – Budapest — Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu is carrying out 25 scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station, including two pioneering projects initiated by Semmelweis University. These studies aim to revolutionize telemedicine and ophthalmic drug delivery in space and on Earth.
The Telemetry System of Space Health (TESH) project, led by Dr. Klaudia Vivien Nagy, investigates cardiovascular and vestibular changes astronauts experience during space travel using smart shirts and non-invasive monitoring tools. The technology is also designed for potential use in remote patient care on Earth, offering early detection and automated health monitoring.
Meanwhile, the END-SANS experiment introduces a novel drug delivery method using nanofiber inserts for eye treatments. Developed in collaboration with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, this rice-sized, dissolvable insert could replace traditional eye drops, offering pain-free and more effective drug absorption.
Semmelweis University is also a key medical contributor to Hungary’s HUNOR Astronaut Program. Dr. Nagy is the first Hungarian certified in space medicine by the European Space Agency. Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis, oversees medical expertise for the astronaut program.
The university’s innovative contributions not only support astronaut health but also promise long-term advances in clinical diagnostics and pharmaceutical care on Earth.
Source: Bálint Barta and Boglárka Zellei – Semmelweis University
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