In October 2022, two menstrual cups embarked on a daring journey aboard the rocket Baltasar, soaring over Portugal. Enclosed within a sturdy steel capsule, these silicone cups braved a rigorous nine-minute flight through the atmosphere, enduring intense gravitational forces, extreme temperature fluctuations, and changing pressures before returning unscathed and leak-free. For the team behind the AstroCup experiment, this successful trial marked the beginning of an important conversation.
Led by astrobiologist Lígia Fonseca Coelho from Cornell University, the AstroCup team aimed to address the often overlooked issue of menstruation in space exploration. With space agencies preparing for extended missions to the Moon and Mars, including many female astronauts, the necessity of addressing menstrual health in space has become increasingly evident.
Historically, managing menstruation in space has presented challenges, with solutions ranging from comical to crude. For instance, when Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983, NASA infamously inquired whether 100 tampons would suffice for a week-long mission. While hormonal contraception has been commonly used to suppress menstrual cycles during spaceflights, the long-term implications of such practices, including risks like blood clots and reduced bone density, are concerning.
Disposable menstrual products, such as pads and tampons, pose logistical challenges in space due to their bulkiness and waste generation. In contrast, menstrual cups offer a reusable, compact, and eco-friendly alternative. Despite their potential benefits, menstrual cups had not undergone testing in space conditions until the AstroCup experiment.
The AstroCup experiment involved subjecting the menstrual cups to space-like conditions, including extreme acceleration phases, temperature variations, and pressure changes. The cups, filled with a blood analogue, glycerol, demonstrated their resilience by containing the fluid without leaks or deterioration. Control cups on the ground exhibited similar performance, underscoring the efficacy of menstrual cups in spaceflight scenarios.
While the AstroCup experiment marked a significant milestone in menstrual health research for astronauts, it represents just the initial phase of a broader exploration. Future studies aim to assess the cups’ performance over extended durations, potentially aboard the International Space Station. Considerations for gravitational variations on the Moon and Mars, as well as hygiene protocols and material durability under space conditions, are crucial aspects to be addressed.
As space exploration evolves to become more inclusive, medical technologies must adapt to cater to the diverse needs of astronauts. With women comprising a growing percentage of space travelers, issues like menstruation in space are no longer peripheral concerns but vital aspects of mission planning and astronaut well-being.
The AstroCup project serves as a catalyst for discussions on choice, equity, and healthcare in space, emphasizing the importance of accommodating normal human processes in the extraterrestrial environment. By addressing fundamental biological needs like menstruation, space agencies can enhance the comfort and well-being of astronauts, enabling them to focus on the challenges and discoveries awaiting in the cosmos.
📰 Related Articles
- World Bank’s Impactful Investments in Menstrual Health Empower Women
- UN Resolution Elevates Menstrual Health as Human Rights Priority
- Toprak Razgatlioglu’s MotoGP Test with Yamaha: A Crucial Step
- Study Reveals Menstrual Health Challenges for Female Athletes in Bangladesh
- Space Miso Experiment Reveals Microbial Adaptability in Astronaut Diets