Next-Generation Space Cardiology: Developing a COMSOL-Enabled Digital Heart Twin for Long-Duration Missions

Spaceflight induces significant cardiovascular changes, such as fluid shifts toward the head, reduced baroreceptor activity, heart muscle weakening, impaired blood vessel function, and modified blood flow patterns. While interest in space medicine and digital health solutions grows, current cardiovascular models lack mission-phase adaptability and a dedicated simulation tailored for zero-gravity environments. This research creates the first high-fidelity digital twin of the human heart using COMSOL Multiphysics, specifically optimized for space and interplanetary conditions. In addition to microgravity (0g), we simulate cardiovascular responses under Mars gravity (0.38g) and post-flight orthostatic stress to replicate full mission-phase transitions, including re-entry and rehabilitation. The model accounts for critical microgravity effects—including fluid redistribution, decreased cardiac filling pressure, lower blood return to the heart, and modified heart wall stress—to predict changes in heart shape, muscle deformation, and pressure-flow relationships. Unlike existing digital heart models designed for terrestrial physiology, this platform incorporates anisotropic tissue mechanics, direction-sensitive loading, and coupled fluid–solid physics to mimic in-flight cardiac remodeling. The system will provide dynamic visualizations and predictive capabilities, allowing simulation of cardiac performance across various mission lengths and astronaut profiles. This initiative is aligned with the UAE’s national objectives in astronaut health and digital health innovation, supporting autonomous medical assessment in space and remote environments. The study establishes a reproducible framework for virtual medical evaluation and pre-mission risk profiling in space cardiology.