News Summary

Waterloo-based startup KA Imaging is set to make history by enabling the first medical X-ray in space. Their advanced spectral X-ray detector, the Reveal 35C, will be part of the Fram2 science mission, a private spaceflight launching aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft. This project, named SpaceXray, aims to study the effects of microgravity on astronauts’ bone densities and assess the image quality of the X-ray system. The mission involves a collaboration between leading academic institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, MIT, and St. Louis University, and private companies, including MinXray from the US. The Fram2 mission will also study Earth’s polar regions and conduct other experiments. KA Imaging, a University of Waterloo spinoff, was co-founded by CTO Karim Karim and the late Sina Ghanbarzadeh, with Amol Karnick as CEO. This project represents a significant advancement in space technology, highlighting Canada’s role in the field.