About Us
Promoting Women's Health in Space
AstroCup is the first project to test menstrual cups in a suborbital rocket flight, assessing their resilience and safety in spaceflight-like conditions.
Our mission is to advance menstrual equity in space by contributing scientific knowledge, promoting visibility, and helping ensure astronauts have access to safe and sustainable menstrual health tools.
AstroCup is a collaborative effort led by scientists, engineers, and science communicators who believe that space should be for everyone, regardless of gender or biology. By asking questions that have been historically ignored, we aim to bring inclusion, innovation, and awareness to the future of space exploration.
Space is the future. Menstruation is not a barrier.
Our Story
AstroCup began with a conversation and a challenge!
In 2022, a call was launched by the Rocket Experiment Division from Instituto Superior Técnico, inviting applications for a scientific payload to be included in their rocket - Baltasar. Bastasar was entering EUROC, the rocket competition organised by the Portuguese Space Agency.
As group of scientists and engineers who had already worked together on another project, we came across the opportunity and asked - What if we tested menstrual cups in spaceflight conditions?
It was an idea driven by both science and equity.
Women are already a minority in space. And when they go, most are encouraged to suppress their menstrual cycle. But as we look toward longer missions - to the Moon, to Mars, and beyond - menstruation should not be a barrier. We need safe, sustainable alternatives that support astronaut autonomy and health.
We submitted our proposal and won!
And in the 2022 EUROC competition, onboard Baltasar, menstrual cups were tested for the first time in a suborbital flight - a scientific milestone.
In 2025, AstroCup partnered with the Hypatia II mission, where analog astronauts tested menstrual cups in a Mars-analog environment, further validating their use in extreme conditions.
We also published our first peer-reviewed scientific article, making our findings public and paving the way for future studies.
Our ambition doesn’t stop here.
In the future, we hope to test menstrual cups and other medical devices in long-duration missions and onboard the International Space Station (ISS) - contributing to a future of space exploration that is inclusive, evidence-based and equitable.
AstroCup is more than a scientific project. It’s a step toward a future where space is designed for everyone - cycles included.
Meet the team
Dr. Lígia F. Coelho
Scientist | Astrobiology
PhD in Bioengineering, specialized in Astrobiology. Her research explores biosignatures, extreme environments, and astronaut comfort. A Fulbright and 51 Pegasi b Fellow, she designs space biology experiments with a focus on habitability and inclusion in space.
Miguel Morgado
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineer focused on space missions and innovation. With expertise in payloads, rockets, and spaceports, he supports AstroCup’s technical and operational efforts. Outside work, he enjoys cycling, coaching youth football, and playing board games.
Diogo Nunes
Aerospace Engineer
Currently completing his Master’s in Aerospace Engineering, Diogo brings hands-on experience with UAVs, aerodynamics, and control systems. At AstroCup, he contributes to the technical side of the project. He also enjoys triathlon and piloting RC aircraft.
Catarina Miranda
Scientist & Science Communicator
With a Master’s in Chemistry and a background in Biology and Physics, Catarina is a scientist dedicated to science communication and equity in STEM. She works to make science accessible to underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys the ocean and nature.
João Canas
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineer with experience in systems engineering and mission operations. At AstroCup, he supports the integration and execution of the payload. Passionate about space systems and innovation, João also enjoys reading, exploring nature, and hiking in his free time.
Dr. Adam Langeveld
Scientist | Astrophysicist
Astrophysicist studying exoplanet atmospheres using large ground and space telescopes. His research explores planet formation and the search for life beyond Earth. Passionate about inclusive spaceflight, he supports AstroCup’s mission for health and equity in space.