Operation Period Slated to Lead First Dedicated Research Mission to Study Menstruation in Space (OP-01)

The duo are expected to become the youngest South Asian women in space, pioneering research that will help expand reproductive health research on and off Earth

Los Angeles, CA, May 28, 2026

In a historic first, Manju Bangalore and Priya Abiram are slated to lead the first dedicated research mission to study menstruation in microgravity aboard a 2027 suborbital spaceflight with Virgin Galactic.

The OP-01 mission, which is part of a broader research initiative through Operation Period’s Redshift Lab, 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 flight is expected to take place in 2027, with Bangalore and Abiram leading research designed to better understand how menstrual dynamics function beyond Earth.

While more than 750 people have traveled to space, over 100 of which have been women, and decades of research have explored the effects of microgravity on the human body, menstruation has never been directly and quantitatively studied in space. Until now.

“This mission is about more than a scientific first, it’s about correcting a fundamental design gap,” says 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.”

Abiram added: “This is a meaningful moment for this research to be taking place. 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.”

As emerging voices at the forefront of reproductive health and space innovation, Bangalore and Abiram have built their work around a central question: what happens when systems are designed without accounting for half the population? Their leadership on this mission reflects a broader commitment to redefining how science, research, and exploration are approached in the future.

The research conducted during the mission is expected to focus on menstrual fluid dynamics and menstrual product performance, with potential applications for long-duration spaceflight as well as broader medical innovation. Findings may inform clinical counseling, as well as assist medical systems and resourcing for mission planning on future spaceflights.

The initiative builds on growing global momentum to close gender gaps in science and medicine, particularly in areas where biological differences have historically been overlooked in research and design.

“At Virgin Galactic, we are committed to enabling human-tended research that expands the scope of what can be studied in space,” said Amber Favaregh, Director, System Analysis & Research, Virgin Galactic. “This mission with Operation Period is a powerful example of how Virgin Galactic can continue to support real-time, in-flight scientific investigation into long-overlooked areas of human health, helping advance more inclusive and innovative exploration that delivers insight for both space and life on Earth.”

In addition to its scientific objectives, the OP-01 mission aims to spark a broader cultural and educational conversation around menstrual justice, representation in STEM, and the future of human-centered design in space exploration.

Bangalore and Abiram, who bring backgrounds spanning science, research, and advocacy, have emerged as leading voices at the intersection of menstrual health and space innovation. Through this mission, they seek not only to advance research, but to redefine who space exploration is for.

Further details on the mission timeline, research payloads, and additional collaborators will be announced in the coming months.

This mission is being built for community, by community, and has been made possible by generous support from Family Foundations, individual donors, and community members. Join us in making history. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made here: operationperiod.org/op-01

About Operation Period

Founded by Manju Bangalore in 2015, Operation Period (a project of Future Incubator) is a Gen-Z led organization advancing menstrual freedom by investing in young organizers, leading research, and transforming culture through media and community action. You can find more information at http://bit.ly/49rCllI

About Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human-first spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. Scale and profitability are driven by next-generation vehicles capable of bringing humans to space at an unprecedented frequency with an industry-leading cost structure. You can find more information at https://www.virgingalactic.com/

About Manju Bangalore

Manju Bangalore is a reproductive health scientist, astronaut-in-training, and researcher leading work at the intersection of human spaceflight and menstrual health. She is the founder of Operation Period, a nationally recognized nonprofit advancing menstrual freedom through science, media, and education.

Bangalore holds a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Oregon and a M.S. in Astronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California. She has conducted research on multiple parabolic flight campaigns, including research on menstruation in microgravity. She has also worked at NASA’s Marshall and Johnson Space Centers on propulsion systems and spacecraft interfaces, and previously contributed to science policy in the Obama White House.

About Priya Abiram

Priya Abiram is an engineer, astronaut-in-training, and pilot focused on building technologies for human spaceflight that enhance life on Earth. She is the Director of Research at Operation Period and has worked on astronaut life support and spacecraft systems across NASA, Blue Origin, VAST, and Boeing.

Abiram holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.Eng. in Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University. She has conducted research on a parabolic flight campaign and published award-winning work on Mars settlement systems. A U.S. Congressional Award Gold Medalist and former Cadet Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Auxiliary, she has earned international recognition for innovations spanning assistive technology, renewable energy, and space-for-Earth solutions. Priya is also a 22 Under 22 honoree by HerCampus and e.l.f. Beauty for her work in STEM.

Media Contacts:

Operation Period: Kayley Gallaher - kayley@gallahergroup.co | Media Assets

Virgin Galactic - news@virgingalactic.com