Menstrual care just entered a new frontier. In a history-making breakthrough, Lunette has become the first menstrual cup brand to undergo testing under true spaceflight conditions—marking a major step forward for women’s health as space missions grow longer and more inclusive.
The newly released findings come from the AstroCup Project, the first scientific initiative designed to understand whether menstrual cups can be a safe, sustainable option for astronauts. Until now, menstruation in space has been managed almost exclusively through hormonal suppression. The practice dates back to the early days of NASA—famously, when astronaut Sally Ride was offered 100 tampons for a one-week mission—and it remains the default approach because no alternative has been rigorously tested for microgravity.
But for missions that may stretch months or even years, such as planned journeys to the Moon or Mars, relying solely on hormonal management is neither ideal nor sustainable. That’s what makes today’s findings so significant.
AstroCup launched two Lunette Period Cups aboard a suborbital rocket to examine how they would withstand turbulence, vibration, microgravity, and re-entry conditions. The results: no leakage, breakage, contamination, or performance issues of any kind.
Researcher and project co-designer Lígia Fonseca Coelho said the success of the test confirms that Lunette cups—“and likely others,” she noted—are resilient enough for the extreme environments of spaceflight.
For Lunette CEO Aleksandra Oklinska, the mission represents more than product testing—it’s about pushing the conversation on menstrual equity into a realm where it has long been absent.
“We’re incredibly proud and deeply grateful that Lunette had the opportunity to contribute to this groundbreaking space research project,” she said. “As space travel expands and more women join national and commercial missions, it’s more important than ever to address menstrual care in orbit.”
The Lunette Period Cup offers a long-lasting and sustainable alternative to disposable menstrual products, capable of being worn for up to 12 hours and reused for as long as 10 years. With multiple sizes and colors, the cups are designed for comfort, adaptability, and reduced waste—qualities that matter on Earth and are even more crucial in space. Through its nonprofit, The Cup Foundation, Lunette also donates cups to help combat global period poverty.
As AstroCup researchers look ahead to broader testing, Lunette’s successful flight marks a groundbreaking moment. It’s a small step for menstrual technology—and a giant leap for inclusion as humanity prepares for deeper exploration of the cosmos.