MinXray’s Impact Wireless X-ray System Among Final Three in Selection Process for NASA Missions

Portable X-ray system reaches final stage of testing before unit is selected

NORTHBROOK, Ill. (September 17, 2025) — MinXray’s Impact System, a complete Wireless Digital X-ray System, is one of three portable X-ray units in the second round of testing by NASA for future human exploration missions. The system that is selected by NASA will be used to address the challenges of long-distance space travel to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

The Impact system is well-suited for long-term space travel due to its portability, battery power and capabilities for full-body imaging. Its compact sizing also makes it an ideal solution given the limited room available on a spacecraft.

It was recently utilized as part of the Fram2 mission, where it captured several radiographs in April of this year, most notably the first human X-ray image ever captured in space.

“The Impact system has proven its capabilities in the most extreme environments from the base camp at Mount Everest to the deserts of Africa to high-elevation research centers in the rainforest of Papua New Guinea,” said MinXray Director of Global and Military Sales Mike Cairnie. “The Fram2 mission was another step toward proving diagnostic images can be captured in any conditions, a goal that is shared by the scientists at NASA as they look to expand medical care capabilities in the final frontier.”

In the first phase of its search for a portable X-ray system to include in future missions, NASA reviewed over 200 commercial systems for size, weight, image quality, ease-of-use, cost and safety. Three units, including the Impact system, were then selected for further testing, which is currently being conducted at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

“We’re working to provide evidence on why a mini-X-ray system should be included in future space exploration,” said Dr. Chase Haddix, a senior biomedical engineering research contractor working for Universities Space Research Association at NASA Glenn. “These X-rays could be used to detect both clinical and non-clinical diagnostics, meaning they can check an astronaut’s body or identify the location of a tear in an astronaut suit.”

Researchers are expected to make a final selection at the end of 2025 and test the chosen system aboard the International Space Station in 2027 or early 2028.

To learn more about the Impact system and MinXray’s other portable digital imaging solutions, visit www.minxray.com, or contact MinXray at 800-221-2245 or at info@minxray.com.