GE HealthCare’s Vivid™ iq Ultrasound System Reaches the International Space Station to Advance Space and Earth-Based Medical Research
GE HealthCare announced that its advanced Vivid™ iq Ultrasound system has officially arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) following its launch aboard the Northrup Grumman commercial resupply services mission (NG CRS-23). The Cygnus XL spacecraft carrying the device was launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 14, 2025, and successfully docked with the ISS four days later.
This milestone represents a continuation of GE HealthCare’s long-standing collaboration with NASA to provide state-of-the-art imaging technologies for spaceflight. The newly customized Vivid iq system will be employed on the space station to support routine crew medical assessments while also serving as a critical tool in NASA’s Human Research Program. This program investigates the effects of spaceflight on human physiology, aiming to develop protective health measures and diagnostic protocols for astronauts.
Supporting Astronaut Health in Orbit
In the uniquely demanding environment of space, medical care must be both innovative and adaptable. The Vivid iq system allows astronauts and flight surgeons to monitor vital organ systems in real time, providing insight into cardiovascular, abdominal, and musculoskeletal health. NASA researchers will use the device to study how prolonged exposure to microgravity affects blood flow, heart function, and other critical processes.
These studies not only contribute to safeguarding astronaut well-being during long-duration missions to the ISS but also lay the groundwork for future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars. Moreover, the knowledge gained from ultrasound research in orbit has significant applications for patients on Earth, helping refine diagnostic imaging protocols and improve healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings.
Building on a Proven Legacy
The Vivid iq is the successor to GE HealthCare’s Vivid q ultrasound system, which was first launched to the ISS in 2011. While the Vivid q successfully supported astronaut health for over a decade, the upgraded Vivid iq was chosen after undergoing a comprehensive series of hardware qualification and acceptance tests to meet the stringent demands of space operations.
Weighing less than many conventional ultrasound machines and roughly the size of a laptop, the Vivid iq provides an impressive combination of portability, power, and precision. The device integrates advanced imaging capabilities with quantification tools designed for cardiovascular, abdominal, and musculoskeletal diagnostics. Its intuitive interface and compact design make it especially well-suited for environments where space is at a premium—whether in orbit or in remote Earth-based clinics.
A key feature of the system is its LOGIQ View technology, which enables clinicians to capture and measure anatomy larger than a single image frame. First introduced in the earlier Vivid q model, this feature has proven indispensable for in-orbit diagnostics and remains central to the new device’s capabilities.
GE HealthCare Leaders on the Mission
GE HealthCare executives emphasized the broader significance of this achievement, highlighting how the innovation serves both astronauts in space and patients on Earth.
“Vivid iq exemplifies GE HealthCare’s commitment to innovation,” said Kurt Page, Vice President and General Manager, Federal Health Systems, GE HealthCare. “We’re proud to deliver exceptional technology that meets the extraordinary demands of human spaceflight while advancing the frontiers of diagnostic imaging. This achievement underscores our dedication to innovative technologies that aim to improve health outcomes both in orbit and on Earth.”
Philip Rackliffe, President and CEO of Advanced Visualization Solutions at GE HealthCare, echoed this sentiment:
“The journey of Vivid iq to the International Space Station marks more than just a technological milestone. It’s a bold affirmation of our vision to empower confident clinical decisions in the most extreme environments, with technology crafted for precision, built for portability, and driven by purpose.”
Expanding Frontiers for Healthcare
In addition to supporting crew health, the Vivid iq will be used in a variety of research investigations that focus on cardiovascular dynamics, venous blood flow, and overall physiological adaptation to microgravity. These studies are vital not only for understanding the human body in space but also for improving diagnostic imaging and medical protocols on Earth.
By deploying the Vivid iq on the ISS, GE HealthCare and NASA are strengthening a partnership that bridges space medicine and terrestrial healthcare. The insights gained will help refine ultrasound practices, enhance portability solutions for hospitals and clinics, and expand access to high-quality imaging in remote or underserved regions.
A Step Toward the Future of Space Medicine
As humanity looks toward extended lunar stays and eventual missions to Mars, the importance of reliable, portable medical imaging cannot be overstated. Devices like the Vivid iq play a pivotal role in ensuring astronaut health and mission success, while also contributing to advancements in global healthcare delivery.
With this successful mission, GE HealthCare reaffirms its role as a leader in diagnostic imaging innovation, demonstrating how cutting-edge technologies can operate seamlessly in one of the most challenging environments known to humankind.
