Virgin Galactic's Operation PERIOD will study menstruation in space

Virgin Galactic plans a 2027 suborbital research mission named Operation Period-01 (OP-01). The mission will study menstruation in microgravity, aiming to generate insights for astronauts and to inform future biomedical research on Earth, including reproductive science and chronic conditions that have been under-researched and under-funded. The mission will be led by Manju Bangalore and Priya Abiram, founders of the Gen Z-led organization Operation Period. The mission is positioned as the first dedicated research effort focused on menstruation in microgravity, despite more than 100 women having previously flown to space. Virgin Galactic has not yet released details on spacecraft, launch date, or mission duration.

"Virgin Galactic has announced plans for a new mission in 2027, which it has named 'Operation Period-01', or OP-01 for short. As you might have guessed from the name, the mission will be dedicated to studying menstruation in microgravity. OP-01 will be led by Manju Bangalore and Priya Abiram, the founders of Gen Z-led organisation, Operation Period."

"Ms Abiram said: 'By studying menstruation in microgravity, we have the opportunity to potentially unlock insights for astronauts, as well as help inform future biomedical research on Earth, from reproductive science to chronic conditions that remain under-researched and under-funded.' This marks the first dedicated research mission to study menstruation in microgravity - despite the fact that over 100 women have already been to space."

"'This mission is about more than a scientific first, it's about correcting a fundamental design gap,' Ms Bangalore added. 'Human spaceflight has historically been built around a narrow definition of the human body. 'We are working to expand that definition and ensure that future space exploration reflects the full diversity of human experience.'"

"However, Virgin Galactic has confirmed that it will be suborbital, meaning the spacecraft will travel into outer space, but will not go fast enough to enter orbit around Earth. The research design is being led by Ms Bangalore and Ms Abiram, who Virgin Galactic describe as 'emerging voices at the forefront of reproductive health and space innovation.'"

Read at Mail Online