SpaceDent
| SpaceDent | |
|---|---|
| Topic | Space dentistry |
| Location | Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport, France |
| Campaign | 20. November 2023 - 1. December 2023 |
| Nation | Slovenia |
| Organization |
|
| Status | Closed |
| Website | https://www.spacedentproject.com/ |
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". znanost.sta.si. Slovenian Press Agency (national news agency). Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ S, A. "Slovenski študenti med poletom nad oceanom uspešno izvedli zobozdravstvene postopke" [Slovenian students successfully performed dental procedures during a flight over the ocean.]. rtvslo.si (in Slovenian). Radiotelevizija Slovenija (national public broadcasting organization). Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ "Zobna ordinacija na Marsu" [Dental clinic on Mars]. www.delo.si (in Slovenian). Delo (newspaper) (National daily newspaper). Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ "Students exploring viability of dental treatment in space". sloveniatimes.com. The Slovenia Times. 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ a b "STAznanost: V Centru Noordung na ogled prvi slovenski vesoljski zobozdravstveni projekt" [The first Slovenian space dentistry project on display at the Noordung Center.]. znanost.sta.si (in Slovenian). Slovenian Press Agency (national news agency). Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ a b "SpaceDent Exhibit Now Part of the Permanent Exhibition at the Noordung Center". University of Ljubljana. 2025-05-12. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ "Slovenia formally applies for full membership of the European Space Agency | GOV.SI". Portal GOV.SI. 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ^ "STAznanost: Slovenia becomes full member of ESA". znanost.sta.si. Slovenian Press Agency (national news agency). Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ^ "HRE Data Archive". hreda.esac.esa.int. European Space Agency. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ "STAznanost: Na Dnevu najboljše prakse o medpanožni uporabi tehnologij" [At the Best Practice Day on the cross-sectoral use of technologies]. znanost.sta.si (in Slovenian). Slovenian Press Agency (national news agency). Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ Slovenija, R. T. V., Maja Plaz, predsednica Društva SOS telefon - ime decembra [Maja Plaz, President of the SOS Phone Association – Name of December] (in Slovenian), Radiotelevizija Slovenija (national public broadcasting organization), retrieved 2025-07-13
- ^ "Special Commendation for Students for Special Achievements and Active Participation in Extracurricular Activities". University of Ljubljana. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ "Za izvirne ideje podeljene Inženirske iskre 2023" [Engineering Sparks 2023 awarded for innovative ideas]. www.delo.si (in Slovenian). Delo (national daily newspaper). Retrieved 2025-07-13.