Researchers at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. (ETH Zurich) have successfully 3D printed human muscle tissue in microgravity during parabolic flight experiments, marking a milestone in space-based biofabrication. The study aims to enhance disease modeling and drug development by recreating human tissues under gravity-free conditions that more accurately reflect the body’s natural architecture.
The research team led by Parth Chansoria used parabolic flights to simulate the microgravity of space. Image via ETH Zurich.
G-FLight: ETH Zurich’s Gravity-Independent Printing System
As astronauts travel into space, their bodies undergo significant physical deterioration in the absence of gravity. To better understand and mitigate these effects, researchers are developing realistic biological models that replicate how human tissue behaves in microgravity.
To achieve this, the team developed an advanced biofabrication system called G-FLight (Gravity-independent Filamented Light), which enables the rapid production of viable muscle constructs—within seconds—even in microgravity. Using a specially formulated bio-resin, the researchers conducted 3D printing during the weightless phases of 30 parabolic flight cycles. The resulting muscle tissue showed comparable cell viability and fiber density to samples printed under normal gravity. The process also allows for long-term storage of cell-loaded bio-resins, a key advantage for future in-orbit manufacturing.
Optical components of G-FLight printer and resin formulations. A) Illustration of the components of the light engine in the G-FLight printer and the laser light path. B) Logistics of the experiments, which guided the resin storage and printing activities. Image via ETH Zurich.
Central to this process is a material known as bio-ink, composed of a carrier substance mixed with living cells. On Earth, the bio-ink’s weight can cause printed structures to collapse or deform before solidifying, while the embedded cells may sink unevenly, producing less accurate models. In microgravity, these limitations disappear—allowing researchers to print muscle fibers that align precisely as they do in the human body. This level of precision is critical for generating tissue models that yield reliable data on how diseases develop and how treatments work.
According to the researchers, the next step is to fabricate complex organoids and human tissues aboard the International Space Station (ISS) or future orbital research platforms. These space-grown tissue models could help study conditions such as muscular dystrophy and spaceflight-induced muscle atrophy, as well as test therapeutic responses under more realistic biological conditions.
Manufacturing on Demand
Expanding the Frontier of Bioprinting in Space
Beyond ETH Zurich’s research, other teams are also advancing the frontiers of space-based biomanufacturing. Earlier this year, scientists from the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) sent 3D printed liver tissue to the ISS aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on August 24, 2025. Sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory, the mission investigates how microgravity influences the growth, stability, and function of bioprinted organ constructs—insights that could accelerate progress in regenerative medicine on Earth.
The project builds on WFIRM’s achievement in NASA’s Vascular Tissue Challenge, where the team’s 3D printed, vascularized tissues functioned for up to 30 days in laboratory settings. Led by Professor James Yoo, the researchers aim to better understand how zero gravity affects cell behavior to develop more durable artificial organs for both research and clinical use.
In parallel, space system manufacturer Redwire achieved a milestone by successfully 3D bioprinting a human knee meniscus aboard the ISS using its upgraded 3D BioFabrication Facility (BFF). The bioprinted construct returned to Earth last month aboard SpaceX’s Crew-6 mission for post-flight analysis, following successful print operations conducted in July. “Demonstrating the ability to successfully print complex tissue such as this meniscus is a major leap forward toward developing a repeatable microgravity manufacturing process for reliable bioprinting at scale,” said John Vellinger, Executive Vice President at Redwire.
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Author: Paloma Duran
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