The AVATAR (A Virtual Astronaut Tissue Analog Response) investigation will use organ-on-a-chip devices, or organ chips, to study a effects of increased radiation and microgravity on human health. Artemis II AVATAR is a small experiment flying aboard Artemis II that could lead to big impacts in healthcare, both for astronauts in space and citizens on Earth. For more information on AVATAR: go.nasa.gov/4m5dGH9

The AVATAR (A Virtual Astronaut Tissue Analog Response) investigation will use organ-on-a-chip devices, or organ chips, to study a effects of increased radiation and microgravity on human health. Artemis II AVATAR is a small experiment flying aboard Artemis II that could lead to big impacts in healthcare, both for astronauts in space and citizens on Earth. For more information on AVATAR: go.nasa.gov/4m5dGH9

The AVATAR (A Virtual Astronaut Tissue Analog Response) investigation will use organ-on-a-chip devices, or organ chips, to study a effects of increased radiation and microgravity on human health. Artemis II AVATAR is a small experiment flying aboard Artemis II that could lead to big impacts in healthcare, both for astronauts in space and citizens on Earth. For more information on AVATAR: go.nasa.gov/4m5dGH9

This is the hardware that will contain the AVATAR chips during the Artemis II flight. The AVATAR (A Virtual Astronaut Tissue Analog Response) investigation will use organ-on-a-chip devices, or organ chips, to study a effects of increased radiation and microgravity on human health. Artemis II AVATAR is a small experiment flying aboard Artemis II that could lead to big impacts in healthcare, both for astronauts in space and citizens on Earth. For more information on AVATAR: go.nasa.gov/4m5dGH9

The AVATAR (A Virtual Astronaut Tissue Analog Response) investigation will use organ-on-a-chip devices, or organ chips, to study a effects of increased radiation and microgravity on human health. Artemis II AVATAR is a small experiment flying aboard Artemis II that could lead to big impacts in healthcare, both for astronauts in space and citizens on Earth. For more information on AVATAR: go.nasa.gov/4m5dGH9

The AVATAR (A Virtual Astronaut Tissue Analog Response) investigation will use organ-on-a-chip devices, or organ chips, to study a effects of increased radiation and microgravity on human health. Artemis II AVATAR is a small experiment flying aboard Artemis II that could lead to big impacts in healthcare, both for astronauts in space and citizens on Earth. For more information on AVATAR: go.nasa.gov/4m5dGH9

iss069e036163 (July 24, 2023) -- Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio completes a Surface Avatar session in the Columbus Laboratory Module. Surface Avatar investigates how haptic controls, user interfaces and virtual reality could command and control surface-bound robots from long distances.

Organ chips are roughly the size of a USB drive and could be used to predict how an individual might respond to a variety of stressors, such as radiation or medical treatments, including pharmaceuticals. Made with human cells, the chips mimic how tissues, such as the brain, heart, liver, or dozens of other organs, work. NASA research will focus on validating and leveraging these models to assess the impacts of deep space stressors on astronauts’ health.

iss067e369288 (Sept. 19, 2022) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 67 Flight Engineer Jessica Watkins works on the Surface Avatar laptop computer in the Columbus laboratory module to study ways, such as haptic controls, user interfaces, and virtual reality, to command and control surface-bound robots from space.

During the Artemis II mission, the organ chips will be secured in a custom payload developed by Space Tango and mounted inside the capsule during the mission. The battery-powered payload will maintain automated environmental control and media delivery to the organ chips throughout the flight.

iss073e0416906 (July 21, 2025) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Jonny Kim tests space-to-ground robotic controlling methods on a laptop computer inside the International Space Station's Columbus laboratory module. The Surface Avatar experiment explores ways to control robotic vehicles on a planetary surface from an orbiting spacecraft using a variety of technologies including consoles, touchscreens, haptics, and virtual reality goggles that may benefit future space exploration.

PHOTO DATE: July 06, 2018 LOCATION: Bldg. 2 Lobby SUBJECT: NIH Tissue Chip. PHOTOGRAPHER: Josh Valcarcel