In a groundbreaking achievement, surgeons on Earth remotely operated a small surgical robot aboard the International Space Station (ISS) over the weekend, marking the first-ever surgery in orbit. The experiment, which involved manipulating rubber bands as simulated tissue, was deemed a "huge success" by the participants and represents a major milestone in the development of space surgery.

The innovative technology, known as spaceMIRA, was developed by Virtual Incision (VIC) in collaboration with the University of Nebraska. The robot, equipped with a camera and two arms, took off on a SpaceX rocket in January and was installed on the ISS by NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara.

During the two-hour experiment conducted from Virtual Incision's headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska, six surgeons remotely controlled the robot to test standard surgical techniques such as grasping, manipulating, and cutting tissue. Although the procedure involved simulated tissue made up of rubber bands, its success brings immense potential for treating medical emergencies during long-duration space missions, including future manned voyages to Mars.

Notably, spaceMIRA's capabilities also have promising applications on Earth. The development of remote-control surgery techniques could benefit isolated areas by bringing advanced surgical expertise to regions with limited access to medical facilities.

Virtual Incision expressed great satisfaction with the experiment's outcome and touted its potential to "change the future of surgery." NASA, which provided financial support for the project, acknowledged the increasing need for emergency care, including surgical interventions, during extended space missions.

Moving forward, the researchers plan to conduct a control experiment using the same equipment on Earth. This will allow for a comparative analysis of the robot's performance in both space and terrestrial environments.

The successful completion of the first-ever robot-assisted surgery on the ISS sets a new benchmark in the field of space medicine. It paves the way for further advancements in surgical techniques that can be applied to not only space exploration but also to enhance healthcare access in remote regions on Earth.