Not done yet doesn't mean impossible.

Getting to the Moon is only half the challenge. Space medicine expert Ilaria Cinelli on why human biology — not technology — is the real frontier of lunar exploration.

What does it truly mean to be human in space — and why does it matter? This open-access book, edited by Ilaria Cinelli, brings together interdisciplinary perspectives on the future of human space exploration, from astronaut selection and psychological resilience to diversity, AI, and the geopolitics of our cosmic presence. As humanity prepares for permanent settlements on the Moon and Mars, this volume makes the case that success depends not on technology alone, but on the people behind the missions.

Preparing humans for deep space starts on Earth. This paper introduces a new framework to identify which extreme environments — from cave diving to polar expeditions — best replicate the demands of future space missions, putting behavioural health at the centre of mission design.

Do we still need humans in space? Ilaria Cinelli tackles one of the most pressing questions of the new space age in this SpaceNews opinion piece — arguing that AI and robots, however capable, cannot replace the irreplaceable human spirit of exploratio

Space is the next frontier in healthcare — and healthcare is the key to sustainable space exploration. This editorial, guest-edited by Ilaria Cinelli for the IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology, introduces a Special Issue exploring the reciprocal relationship between space and health: from astronaut care beyond Earth orbit to space-derived innovations that transform medicine on the ground.

Space meets global health. The 2024 Annual Report of the Space and Global Health Network highlights a year of growing momentum — from a dedicated track at the Geneva Digital Health Day to a Space and Global Health Hackathon with ESA, and the launch of a transdisciplinary curriculum taskforce bringing together 32 experts worldwide.