Spanish scientists showed, in a study conducted in a simulator of the conditions of the red planet in the US, that fertilized sprouts with menstrual blood solution grew faster.
In order to investigate living conditions in, a mission of Spanish scientists discovered an unusual way of getting food in space.
Simulating living conditions on the red planet, the mission Hypatia 2 found the promising potential of menstrual blood as fertilizer to get food from green sprouts.
Hypatia 2 was the first simulated mission in which astronauts used menstrual glasses, an initiative that aims to normalize the idea that women can go to space without interrupting the menstrual cycle and that, far from being a burden due to waste generation, does not produce garbage and may even generate benefits in food production.
The crew was isolated for two weeks in February, with water and food restrictions at the Martian Desert Investigation Station (MDRS), located in the United States. During this period, astronauts conducted various experiences.
Natural fertilizer for plants
According to the geologist Marina Martínezwhich participated in the study, during the mission was used the blood of two crew members who were menstruating, as a natural fertilizer for plants. The project had the collaboration of researchers from Sant Pau Hospitalin Barcelona, Spain.
“It’s surreal, but so far no scientific study has been concerned with proving that menstrual blood is, in fact, Effective natural fertilizer”, Says Martínez.
According to the preliminary results of the experiences conducted in the previously germinated legumes site in the season, the fertilized site with a menstrual blood solution mixed with water produced a larger number of roots and germinated faster than not fertilized.
Martínez also underlines how “valuable” is to have green sprouts as food in space missions, where astronauts only consume dehydrated food.
Astronomy does not understand the female body
Jennifer García Carrizowhich also joined the crew, said that the masculinized view of science has historically led astronauts to suspend their menstruations with hormonal methods to avoid waste of hygienic tamples and non -recyclable buffants.
The lack of understanding of the female body is evident even among the elite of the scientific community. For a one week mission in which the astronaut Sally Ride participated, for example, the NASA sent 100 Tampões to the space – A number disproportionate for such a short period.
Another mission investigation area – which also explored the use of photovoltaic energy, among other strands – was to analyze if it exists genre prejudice on the impact on the body of women in these conditions of mars simulation.
For this, the crew members performed anthropometric tests before and after the UTAH stay, to evaluate the effects of analog mission, which included mobility and dietary restrictions – especially at protein level – on body composition. One of the preliminary conclusions is that they maintained weight and strength, but lost muscle mass.
This and other investigations, scientists said, will continue to be developed in a third mission planned for 2027.
