Science : using an ultrasound scanner in space

The French astronaut Thomas Pesquet used an ultrasound scanner during his mission few weeks ago. Nowadays, thanks to their sophisticated functionalities, ultrasound machines can be used in different situations, from medicine to others science aspects.

Thomas Pesquet is now a real icon for the french astronomy. His spacewalk on the ISS (International Space Station) was particularly mediatized in France and all over the world. When we think about space, the first things that come to mind are stars, the infinite, the unknown... we tend to forget the extreme complexity and the importance of a careful preparation before the process.

Specialized in ultrasound scanners since its creation in 2003, French company Sonoscanner has been involved in Pesquet "space adventures". Selling its products in 48 different countries, Sonoscanner creates handheld ultrasound scanners that include the latest technical advances. For specialized manufacturers, conciliating space-saving and great functionalities is one of the main challenges to be met.

Thanks to many years working in ultrasound imaging, Sonoscanner is now capable to offer portative, easy to use, and powerful scanners.

The goal of this operation was to establish a link between the echographist and the cosmonaut, who is located at more than 400 kilometers above  Earth. A long-distance echography has been created. It analyzes multiples organs: heart, veins, muscles... The operation led to a real success, and allows to hope for a smart and useful use of this technology in the future (helping isolated population, for example). Although both of us are French, the echographist and Thomas Pesquet talked in English all along the operation, proving a real interest for the international scientific community.