Astronomy:SpaceDent
SpaceDent was a research project conducted by students of the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, as part of the 83rd parabolic flight campaign of the European Space Agency (ESA). During the experiment, they simulated the first tooth preparation and dental filling placement in weightlessness.[1][2][3][4] The project explored the feasibility of performing dental procedures in microgravity conditions. The experiment module is part of the permanent exhibition at Herman Potočnik Noordung Center of Space Technologies in Vitanje.[5][6]
Background
On 6 November 2023, Slovenia applied for full membership in the European Space Agency (ESA),[7] which coincided with the development of SpaceDent, the country's first student project under ESA.[6] Slovenia officially joined ESA as a full member on 1 January 2025.[8]
Campaign
The experiment was conducted during the 83rd ESA Parabolic Flight Campaign, held from 20 November to 1 December 2023 at Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport in France. Two research modules, designed to simulate simplified dental clinic environments, were installed aboard the Air Zero G parabolic flight aircraft. The flights were conducted over the Atlantic Ocean. Over the course of 90 parabolic manoeuvres, each generating approximately 22 seconds of microgravity, two dental medicine students carried out the first simulated tooth preparation and dental filling placement procedures in weightless. The procedures were performed on artificial teeth inserted in dental manikin, placed within a specially designed enclosed workspace.[9]
Exhibition
After the campaign, the experiment structure became part of the permanent exhibition at the Herman Potočnik Noordung Center of Space Technologies in Vitanje.[5]
Awards and nominations
| Name | Organization | Year | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best practice award | Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia | 2024 | [10] |
| Nomination for the Name of the week in Slovenia | Radio-Television of Slovenia | 2024 | [11] |
| Special Commendation for Students for Special Achievements and Active Participation in Extracurricular Activities | University of Ljubljana | 2024 | [12] |
| Engineering Spark Award | IRT Forum | 2023 | [13] |
References
- ↑ "STAznanost: Slovenian students successfully complete simulation of dental treatment in space". Slovenian Press Agency (national news agency). https://znanost.sta.si/3244250/slovenian-students-successfully-complete-simulation-of-dental-treatment-in-space.
- ↑ S, A.. "Slovenski študenti med poletom nad oceanom uspešno izvedli zobozdravstvene postopke" (in sl). Radiotelevizija Slovenija (national public broadcasting organization). https://www.rtvslo.si/znanost-in-tehnologija/slovenski-studenti-med-poletom-nad-oceanom-uspesno-izvedli-zobozdravstvene-postopke/690668.
- ↑ "Zobna ordinacija na Marsu" (in sl). Delo (National daily newspaper). https://www.delo.si/novice/znanoteh/zobna-ordinacija-na-marsu.
- ↑ "Students exploring viability of dental treatment in space" (in en). The Slovenia Times. 2023-09-04. https://sloveniatimes.com/39764/students-exploring-viability-of-dental-treatment-in-space.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "STAznanost: V Centru Noordung na ogled prvi slovenski vesoljski zobozdravstveni projekt" (in sl). Slovenian Press Agency (national news agency). https://znanost.sta.si/3428655/v-centru-noordung-na-ogled-prvi-slovenski-vesoljski-zobozdravstveni-projekt.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "SpaceDent Exhibit Now Part of the Permanent Exhibition at the Noordung Center" (in en). 2025-05-12. https://www.uni-lj.si/en/news/2025-05-12-spacedent-exhibit-now-part-of-the-permanent-exhibition-at-the-noordung-center.
- ↑ "Slovenia formally applies for full membership of the European Space Agency | GOV.SI" (in en). 2023-11-06. https://www.gov.si/en/news/2023-11-06-slovenia-formally-applies-for-full-membership-of-the-european-space-agency/.
- ↑ "STAznanost: Slovenia becomes full member of ESA". Slovenian Press Agency (national news agency). https://znanost.sta.si/3378897/slovenia-becomes-full-member-of-esa.
- ↑ "HRE Data Archive". European Space Agency. https://hreda.esac.esa.int/hreda/#/pages/investigation;investigationAcronym=SpaceDent_PARA.
- ↑ "STAznanost: Na Dnevu najboljše prakse o medpanožni uporabi tehnologij" (in sl). Slovenian Press Agency (national news agency). https://znanost.sta.si/3260668/na-dnevu-najboljse-prakse-o-medpanozni-uporabi-tehnologij.
- ↑ Slovenija, R. T. V. (in sl), Maja Plaz, predsednica Društva SOS telefon - ime decembra, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (national public broadcasting organization), https://val202.rtvslo.si/podkast/ime-tedna/583/175007890, retrieved 2025-07-13
- ↑ "Special Commendation for Students for Special Achievements and Active Participation in Extracurricular Activities" (in en). https://www.uni-lj.si/en/university-week/2024/special-commendation-for-students-for-special-achievements-and-active-participation-in-extracurricular-activities.
- ↑ "Za izvirne ideje podeljene Inženirske iskre 2023" (in sl). Delo (national daily newspaper). https://www.delo.si/gospodarstvo/novice/za-izvirne-ideje-podeljene-inzenirske-iskre-2023.
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