Title:
Polaris neocytolysis assessed by mining blood and air samples (Polestar)
Agreement Number:
25HLSDM1
Agreement Value:
$74,700.00
Agreement Date:
Sep 19, 2025 - Jul 15, 2026
Description:
The Polestar payload aims to address outstanding questions on the mechanism of space anemia. Polestar will test three key hypotheses: 1. Older red blood cells (RBC) are preferentially destroyed in space; 2. Space can induce a shift from adult to fetal hemoglobin; and 3. Space induces RBC morphological changes, causing RBC dysfunction. Using blood and air samples collected from the SpaceX Polaris Dawn five-day mission, Polestar will measure the effect of high-altitude space and space radiation on space hemolysis in four astronauts compared to four age-related and sex-matched ground controls. Polestar will investigate the subpopulation of hemolyzed RBCs, hemoglobin gene-switching, and RBC anomalies, using state-of-the-art methods often applied for the first time to space samples. Polestar leverages private space missions to speed up critical space life science advances.
Organization:
Canadian Space Agency
Expected Results:
The Research component of the program provides financial support to organizations to conduct space related research and development in priority areas. It will support targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance the Canadian capacity to use space to address national needs and priorities in the future.
Location:
Ottawa, Ontario, CA K1Y 4E9
Reference Number:
003-2025-2026-Q2-00075
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Recipient's Legal Name:
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Program:
Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology
Program Purpose:
This program supports knowledge development and innovation in the CSA's priority areas while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.
The Research Component aims to support the development of science and technology; foster the continual development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada; and support information gathering and space-related studies and research pertaining to Canadian Space Agency priorities.