Recent research into inflammasomes, proteins in immune cells that regulate inflammation, reveals their dual role in HIV—initially helping contain the virus but later contributing to harmful chronic inflammation that accelerates aging and damages healthy cells.

As humanity plans long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, maintaining astronaut health becomes as critical as building rockets and habitats, with space environment challenges demanding innovative health solutions.

Astronauts face unique health challenges in space, including the effects of isolation, microgravity, and radiation, which disrupt the immune system and increase risks of injury and infection.

Emerging research suggests that synthetic biology could support astronaut health by enabling onboard production of medicines and health-supporting solutions in space environments.

Understanding and managing inflammation, particularly through regulating inflammasome activity, may become as vital as life-support systems, helping astronauts recover faster from injuries, resist infections, and sustain health during long missions.

Controlling inflammasome activity could enhance astronaut health by reducing dependency on Earth supplies, speeding injury recovery, and protecting tissues from cosmic radiation damage, which exacerbates cellular stress.

Effective inflammation management is crucial for protecting tissues from cosmic radiation, which can activate inflammasomes and stress cells, posing significant health risks during space travel.

Insights from HIV research, particularly on inflammasomes and inflammation, could enable future space missions to produce personalized medicines onboard using bioreactors or 3D bioprinters, reducing the need for extensive medical supplies.