Health in Space: integrating legal, ethical and sustainability assessments

Space exploration and economy has entered a new era with private investments reshaping the landscape. One Health approach and health R&D are leading to focus on the role of space science and digital health technologies as a driver both for sustainable space ‘race’ and an enhanced well-being and quality of life on Earth. However, research, development and deployment of digital health technologies in space poses ethical, legal and sustainability challenges that must be addressed to ensure protection of human rights and ethical guidance, also in human-machine relations, personal data processing during space missions. Additionally, broader sustainability considerations are crucial for the long-term viability of space exploration and colonization. A comprehensive approach is indeed needed to integrate legal, ethical, and sustainability assessments into health-related activities in space. The research aims to clarify the space legal framework band define a specific risk assessment tool model capable of operationalizing an integrated human and sustainability protection system in the research or use of health technology in space.