Southland Teen Wins $50,000 Prize for Innovative Space Bandage

A breakthrough project by a 17-year-old from Southland, New Zealand, has earned her the prestigious Prime Minister’s Space Prize for Student Endeavour, which includes a grant of $50,000. Sophie Ineson’s innovative bandage, named HydroHeal, addresses a critical issue faced by astronauts: the slow healing of wounds in microgravity environments.

Ineson was recognized at a ceremony in Parliament on March 4, 2024, for her work, which began as an entry in the NZAS Southland Science and Technology Fair. She realized that in space, even minor injuries, such as paper cuts, can escalate into major health concerns due to the unique challenges of healing in low-gravity conditions.

Astronauts experience reduced oxygen delivery to wounds, slower cell growth, and impaired immune responses, making even small injuries potentially detrimental to crew morale and mission success. As Ineson explained, “On Earth, you can put a band-aid on and it heals in a few days, but it’s a completely different story in space.”

The challenges are compounded by lunar regolith, a fine dust that can complicate wound care. With NASA’s upcoming Artemis missions in mind, Ineson focused on developing a bandage that meets stringent requirements for space travel, including the ability to be applied while wearing gloves and maintaining integrity over extended periods.

Through extensive research, she created a two-layered dressing that utilizes chitosan, a natural polymer known for its antibacterial properties, along with Southland-sourced hemp seed oil and lecithin for anti-inflammatory effects and moisture retention. The judging panel praised her project as “a well-thought-out and independently carried-out project” that demonstrates a combination of medical knowledge and engineering design.

Ineson’s achievements are particularly notable given her proximity to the Awarua Space Ops site, where scientists are engaged in calibrating satellites and managing data transmissions. While attending Southland Girls’ High School, she has also been an active advocate for encouraging female students to pursue careers in engineering and the sciences.

She founded the innovatHer club at her school, where she mentors peers on entering science fairs and exploring opportunities in space-related fields. Her commitment to promoting women in the space sector is not new; she previously won the Fair Go Consumer Heroes competition in Year 7 for a project focused on increasing female participation in space careers.

Ineson envisions a future where young people, including those interested in law, can contribute to the evolving field of space law. As she prepares for university studies that will combine her interests in neuroscience and psychology, she aims to investigate how the space environment affects mental health compared to Earth-bound experiences.

“I’m looking at how being in space can affect people’s mental health, and how that may be different to someone who is on Earth for the same period,” she shared.

Her outlook is optimistic, believing that the vast opportunities available in the space sector are there for the taking. “It’s to have the confidence to reach out and take that opportunity,” she stated, embodying the spirit of innovation and exploration that her project represents.

Ineson’s work not only highlights the potential for advancements in space healthcare but also serves as an inspiration for a new generation of scientists and engineers ready to tackle the challenges of human exploration beyond Earth.