A powerful new cross‑border initiative is uniting Lithuanian and German research and development efforts in the field of space health research. Lithuanian firm Delta Biosciences is launching a landmark space medicine mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission includes research contributions from Germany’s GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), alongside international scientific collaborators.

German expertise at the core of space health research

German scientific and industrial prowess is integral to this initiative. Radiobiology teams at GSI, led by Dr. Marco Durante, Dr. Walter Tinganelli and Dr. Jeannette Jansen, support Delta Biosciences’ three‑year space health research mission to the ISS. They will perform ground‑based radiation studies to simulate cosmic radiation effects on radioprotective molecules. These findings will benefit astronauts, emergency personnel in radiation‑exposed environments, and cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. In parallel, Dr. Thomas Berger from DLR’s Institute for Aerospace Medicine contributes critical instrumentation efforts for the ISS part of the mission.

Germany as a strategic driver of space and medical innovation

“The German space industry is an inspiration to us: from The Exploration Company’s leading work in new space, to OHB’s historic contributions. Our mission’s goal is to validate radiation countermeasures for astronauts and critical payloads such as medicines and food. Radioprotective medicines that we are researching are not only crucial for astronauts during space expeditions but also for patients undergoing radiotherapy. GSI has pioneered a new generation of cancer radiotherapy and possesses unparalleled know-how in this domain, while DLR is a leader in space radiation research. Therefore, Germany’s ecosystem is a natural partner for advancing both space medicine and creating benefits for patients here on Earth,” says Dominykas Milasius, Co‑Founder and CEO of Delta Biosciences.

A bright future for German‑Lithuanian collaboration in space health research

This partnership underlines the potential for Germany and Lithuania to scale their contributions in the space sector. German companies and research centres are actively involved and reflect Germany’s prominent role in shaping European space health research policy and initiatives.

“Partnerships with established space countries like Germany is a key in developing Lithuanian space ecosystem. Lithuania's space sector has enormous potential, as do the opportunities for joint R&D projects with Germany,” says Eglė Elena Šataitė, Head of Space Hub LT at Innovation Agency Lithuania.