Menstrual Cup Survives Suborbital Rocket Test — A Step Toward Period Care in Space

Researchers Test Menstrual Cup Under Rocket Flight Conditions

Scientists from the AstroCup team sent two Lunette-brand menstrual cups aboard an uncrewed suborbital rocket in 2022 to evaluate how well a reusable period product withstands the stresses of launch. The flight lasted roughly nine minutes and reached an altitude of about 1.9 miles (3 kilometers), exposing the cups to vibration and mechanical stress that could compromise their shape or liquid-holding ability.

Postflight Results

After recovery, researchers performed leak tests using glycerol and water and found that both cups retained their structural integrity with no apparent material degradation. The team published these results in NPJ Women's Health (study published Dec. 2).

"Now we can start implementing and redefine health autonomy in space," said astrobiologist Lígia Coelho, lead researcher of AstroCup, a fellow at Cornell University's Carl Sagan Institute and the study's lead author.

Why This Matters

Menstrual cups are reusable silicone devices that collect menstrual blood and are gaining popularity as a sustainable alternative to tampons and pads. On current missions, many menstruating astronauts use continuous hormonal contraception to suppress their periods, which reduces the need for period products. But relying solely on suppression assumes everyone can or wants to use hormones — an assumption that may not hold for long-duration exploration missions.

Spacecraft recycling and waste systems were not originally designed to process blood, and single-use products increase waste and logistical complexity. Menstrual cups could reduce waste and give astronauts more autonomy over menstrual management — but this early suborbital test is only a first step.

Limitations And Next Steps

The AstroCup authors emphasize several outstanding questions: how cups behave in reduced gravity, how easy and sanitary cup removal and emptying will be in microgravity, and how materials perform over long-duration missions. The team proposes follow-up experiments on the International Space Station to test different menstrual products and handling procedures in microgravity.

Medical and operational trade-offs also matter. Hormonal suppression can simplify life on a mission and help some people manage conditions such as severe endometriosis or PMDD, but hormones carry risks — including increased blood-clot risk with added estrogen and potential effects on bone density with combined oral contraceptives. Progestin-only methods (IUDs, implants) can cause breakthrough bleeding and may not eliminate the need for period products for all users. Very little research exists on how these contraceptive methods perform in space.

Broader Implications

Although human reproduction in space remains speculative and far off, effective menstrual management is an essential component of inclusive, long-duration human spaceflight. Expanding validated, practical options for period care supports crew health, reduces waste, and respects individuals' autonomy over their reproductive and bodily choices.

Bottom line: The Lunette cups survived the stresses of a short suborbital flight with no observed damage, but microgravity and long-duration testing are still needed before menstrual cups can be recommended as a standard option for space missions.