By 
May 28th, 2026
Image credit: Virgin Galactic/Operation Period
Two young South Asian women are set to carry out dedicated research on menstruation in space.
Manju Bangalore and Priya Abiram are to fly aboard a 2027 suborbital flight via a Virgin Galactic space plane, the research tagged as Operation Period-01 (OP-01). The duo will delve into pioneering research that will help expand reproductive health research on and off Earth.
The twosome is taking their research to new heights.
Long-overlooked
According to a Virgin Galactic statement released today, the OP-01 mission is part of a broader research initiative through Operation Period’s Redshift Lab.
“OP-01 represents the first dedicated effort to directly study menstrual health in space, addressing a long-overlooked gap in human spaceflight and reproductive health research,” the company states.
Fundamental design gap
“This mission is about more than a scientific first, it’s about correcting a fundamental design gap,” says Manju Bangalore. “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.”
Priya Abiram adds that “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.”
Menstrual freedom
Operation Period was founded by Manju Bangalore in 2015, a project of Future Incubator – a Gen-Z led organization advancing menstrual freedom by investing in young organizers, leading research, and transforming culture through media and community action.
More information is available at: http://bit.ly/49rCllI
Image credit: Virgin Galactic
Posted in Space News
